Book I Chapter 3: All Rhodes lead to Minos

Night had fallen by the time Aurelian awoke. He had traveled for another two days with Saga and Penguin Logistics and he was starting to get bored. They had entered the country of Minos a scant eight hours ago, but to him, it felt like days. Crop fields as far as he could see—just wheat, yams, and the occasional vineyard. He was starting to miss the barren wastelands between Kazimierz and Minos. At least the rock formations were funny. Aurelian chuckled to himself, catching the attention of the Sankta beside him.

"Hehe… rocket…Rock dick."

Exusiai smiled knowingly. "Are you still going on about that, Messiah? It's been almost twelve hours. Saga's going to die of embarrassment at this rate."

"Indeed… This foul mouth hath mistaken Ms. Texas's pure and honest words." Saga moaned.

Texas rolled down her window and tossed out a spent cigarette. "Not my problem."

"I don't blame you Saga." Aurelian said, in an attempt to 'comfort' his friend. "With a pointed slab wedged between a few large boulders, most dirty-minded people would have called it a 'rock dick.' It just so happens that Texas's chaste and pure mind saw a rocket."

"Don't remind this Saga…" The Perro faced her window. She suddenly sat up in her chair."Oh! Over yonder! Is yond shadow Rhode's Island?!" She asked, pointing towards something in the distance.

Aurelian and Exusiai struggled to see through the darkness. Unlike Saga and Texas, they couldn't see well at night and their bright haloes only made it worse. He could scarcely make out a vague shape in the distance. There were a few tiny lights dotted here and there, so he knew that whatever it was, it wasn't natural. Suddenly, the object was awash with a bright, white light, as a large flying machine descended from the sky.

He gawked. When Saga spoke of Rhodes Island, he imagined a futuristic utopia floating amongst the waves of the Iberian Sea. A tower of glass tucked away in a beautiful nature reserve filled with a myriad of flora and fauna. He was sorely disappointed.

"That's Rhodes Island? What a piece of junk!" Instead of an island, he saw a machine; instead of a reserve, he saw a tarmac; and instead of nature, he saw the remnants of industry. Saga had described a wondrous facility of medical miracles, which in reality turned out to be a fraud.

Exusiai nodded. "Yep! That's the Rhodes Island Landship alright!"

At first, he couldn't believe his artificial muscle had been produced in that excuse of a 'landship', but the more he thought about it the more sense it made. If Rhodes Island was a utopian medi-lab, then it would've been able to mend his face. Instead, he received a mouthpiece that had to be removed nightly. If Rhodes Island was a center for modern technology, then it would've designed the perfect solution. Instead, he was given a pink ribbon to tie his jaw shut. It was a sham. All of it was a lie.

"Landship? More like landshit if you ask me."

"Young master, how rude!"

"Oops, did I say that out loud?"

"Yes!"

"He's not wrong, you know. The landship requires frequent repairs and is constantly one fire away from an HR disaster." Exusiai explained, backing up her fellow.

Texas shrugged. "Food's good."

"Except for that time Hibiscus was on mess duty."

"Ms. Hibiscus's cooking was wonderful!"

Aurelian threw a dubious look towards Saga. "Knowing you, I'm going to side with Texas and Exusiai. Where did they even find this rotting matchbox on wheels?"

Exusiai hummed. "You know, I'm not too sure actually. I think it was discovered by Rim Billiton and then remodeled as a mobile gold mine?"

"And they've since converted it into a pharmaceutical company?"

"Yep!" Exusiai said, popping the 'p'.

I wouldn't have paid a cent for that. Aurelian thought to himself. "Who even bought the damned thing?"

"Wel... Technically it wasn't bought."

"No wonder it's falling apart."

"Thou can be quite rude at times, young master."

"Hey. I'm just telling it as it is. Also, I've been meaning to ask, what's with the fake acc—"

"We're here." Texas interrupted.

The first thing Aurelian noticed were the three stone walls that separated the city from the rest of Terra. Each successive wall stood taller than the one before it. Despite the addition of modern lighting, the limestone structures appeared ancient but well-maintained. Far ahead of them, on the horizon, was a colossal gate with three doors made entirely of gold. The central door was easily twice the height and width of the two smaller doors. A wide road passed through the gates, each door having its own lane except for the central door; which had two.

"Hey? Why are there roads here?" Aurelian had never seen roads outside of mobile cities. Even Higashi, another permanent city, didn't have external roads.

Texas tsked. "Did you just notice? We've been traveling on roads ever since we arrived in Minos," she replied. "It's because, like all Minoan settlements, Thrakí is a permanent city. It doesn't move."

"Why? The mountains protect Higashi, that much makes sense, but here? It's wheat fields for miles!"

"Well, Thrakí dates back to the Pax Lateranica, centuries before the first catastrophe. Back then, they didn't need mobile cities. When Emperor Mithridates first founded Thrakí, his only concerns were raiders from the Ursine and Sargon tribes." Aurelian was surprised by Texas's historical knowledge. She didn't seem like the type of person who'd enjoy historical literature.

"So he built a wall?"

"Technically, he built three." Exusiai corrected.

"But that still doesn't explain why the roads are here now. How do they cope with catastrophes?"

Texas sighed. "They don't."

"What?"

"I think what Texas meant to say was Thrakí has never been hit by a Catastrophe. Like Kjerag, Minos also worships a patron god. He wields his influence on the Heavens to keep Minos safe from Catastrophes, making it the safest country next to Kjerag."

Saga listened with rapt attention.

Aurelian scoffed. "You're talking as if this god is real."

Exusiai frowned deeply. "Because he is."

"You believe in two gods? I thought Laterano only believed in the 'one true God'."

Realizing Aurelian wasn't doubting her faith, Exusiai giggled and slapped him on the shoulder. "No silly, the patron god of Minos and the Lateran god are the same: Horaios, Archon of the Heavens."

That threw Aurelian for a loop. "Then what's he doing here? Shouldn't he be in Laterano?"

Exusiai shook her head. "No. A couple of centuries ago, the Lateran Church split from the Mithridatic Church during the 'Fourth Crusade' against Sargon which ended with the first catastrophe. The Lateran Church believed the catastrophe was a punishment sent by Horaios for practicing heresies. They believed in following the word of the Lord, while the Mithridatic church believed in the reverence of the Lord. As a result, the Lateran church left the Empire, resulting in the Empire's East-West division."

"Why didn't they just ask him?"

"They did."

"And what did Horaios say?"

"Beats me."

"Well, that sucks."

"No, he literally said 'beats me.' It's in the Curia Lateranica. Gavin 3:6.

'And so Gavin asked of the LORD, "Why hath the Heavens split upon us, O' LORD? Whyfor hath you forsaken me? For what heresy were we punished for, O'LORD? Was it for thy worship or had thy LAW been transgressed?

And the good LORD did say unto him, "Beats me, now 'git." And so Gavin 'git.'

And so the churches split."

"…Interesting?"

Exusiai nodded. "Since Minos continued their worship, Horaios stayed here in Thrakí." She turned away, staring into the night. "Our traits are the manifestations of our beliefs. We are bound by the Law of Horaios. Those who break the law become fallen. No matter the reason…"

Aurelian felt his fellow Sankta's sorrow but knew it wasn't his place to pry. However, he couldn't let her sit and suffer. Not like this. Like a sun that couldn't shine, a downcast Exusiai felt wrong. He felt compelled to help her smile.

"Horaios sounds a lot like my mom: picks up the trash, walks past the trash can, and gives me the trash to throw away."

Exusiai did a spit-take. She held her stomach as she folded at her waist with laughter, kicking her feet.

"The heck, Messiah! You have to respect the woman who raised you! What'd you do if I told her what you said?"

"Probably, that you're a dirty liar.'"

She continued to laugh.

He caught Texas looking concernedly at him through the rearview mirror. She quickly hid her emotions and turned away the moment she noticed his gaze.

"Your mom sounds like a wonderful person! Introduce me sometime!"

Aurelian chuckled. "Alright Exusiai, maybe one day."

Saga and Texas shared a surprised look. Looks like Saga didn't know that I told Texas. I mean, it's not a secret.

Exusiai sighed as she calmed herself. "Haaah… As I was saying, the Lord lives in the Church of the Saints. Right next to the imperial palace!"

Aurelian smiled. It seemed her mind was now clear of her worries. "Well, that's certainly convenient." He looked out the window and noticed a long queue of cars sitting on either side of the van. That was new. "What's with the line?"

Texas nodded as a guard waved them through. "What's with all the questions today?"

Exusiai rolled her eyes. "Give him a break, Texas. This is all new for him."

"Yeah, Texas." The Lupo glared as he mocked an agreement.

Exusiai continued. "The right and left lanes are for unregistered vehicles: people like tourists and taxis. The central two are for registered vehicles: citizens, government officials, licensed services, and state-owned cargo. Since we're a licensed service, we get to enjoy the center lanes! The other lanes have to go through customs inspection and registration. Each vehicle and its owner must be registered when they enter and checked off when they leave."

"Geez, that sounds like a hassle. Security seems a bit much, to be honest."

"Well duh! It's the Imperial capital! The Emperor still lives here."

"I thought the Empire collapsed?"

Texas scoffed. "No, it never fell. The empire simply fragmented into a myriad of rump states. A majority of which were destroyed by catastrophes. Victoria, Siesta, Iberia, Siracusa, Laterano, Minos, and parts of Leithania and Sargon are all that's left."

"You sure can talk a lot when it comes to history."

Texas scowled. "Shut up."

"Oh you, enough with that. Take a look at the city!"

Aurelian looked up through the windshield. He couldn't help but gape in awe. The city was absolutely breathtaking. If there was a Heaven on Terra: it'd be Thrakí. Unlike the architecture found in Higashi or Kazimierz, the city was virtually untouched by modernity—like it had been frozen in time. The wide central street split the city in two, ending with a towering arch-like gate. A round public forum laid just beyond the arch. Citizens and tourists walked about while children attempted to climb the central spire. Constructed from cut marble, granite, and stone, it looked more like a royal palace than a public space. Aurelian pressed himself against his window to get a better view of the passing scenery. The central road was lined with shops, houses, and other businesses that, while equipped with modern luxuries, were constructed from limestone with red and orange trimmings and burgundy tiling.

He turned back to Exusiai. "Holy shit, this place is amazing! It looks like the entire city was built for a king!"

Exusiai nodded excitedly. "I know right? There's a reason why Thrakí is known as 'The City of the World's Desire'. For centuries, it was the most important city in all of Terra. Hundreds of thousands of people would visit every year, all for the grandeur of our god! Second to none! As the locals say 'Basileus Basileon kai Kurios Kurion'!"

Aurelian groaned as his head throbbed with pain. A shrill voice filled every corner of his mind, threatening to burst out from his head.

"You must travel to Terra. The cycle—Samsara—dies as we speak. Offer your prayer to Astaphaios: Dominus Dominum et Rex Regum—King of Kings and Lord of Lords."

The pain and vision vanished as quickly as they came. "Dominus Dominum et Rex Regum: King of Kings and Lord of Lords…"

Exusiai's ecstatic face was a mere inch from his. "You didn't tell me you spoke Lateran! And Minoan?! Messiah!" He felt her warm breath against his face. He shivered. She smells like cinnamon.

"No… I don't. I just…I didn't know?"

She pulled back. "Huh, interesting… well, it is common knowledge amongst the clergy…" The angel hummed with suspicion before she turned her attention to the driver. "So Texas, where we headed?"

"Up ahead. The public forum—we'll drop them off there."

Aurelian shook his head. Excitement had replaced the pain and confusion. "We're finally here. I feel like we were on the road for months…"

Saga smiled awkwardly. "Only four days, young master."

Texas parked the van by a curb in front of the arch. "I've always wanted to visit the Senate House. Never had the time."

"As they say, there's no time like the present."

Texas shook her head. "Can't. Got another job back in Lungmen."

"You should come with us, Messiah! You don't have to go, right? Come on, please…" Exusiai begged. "Oh! I know! You can join Penguin Logistics! You'll fit right in!"

"I think I've had enough Messiah worship for the next two weeks. Besides, you've got my number. As a wise monk once said, 'yond friends whomst were once a-far are now near with the single push of a button!" Aurelian flashed a peace sign. "Kyaha~ "

Saga flushed. "I did no such thing!"

"Didn't say it was you, Saga." The Perro moaned. She'd been had!

Exusiai giggled as Aurelian climbed over her and stepped out onto the sidewalk. She handed him his staff. He found Saga pouting as she left the van.

"Here." Texas tossed an object out the window. Aurelian caught it with his free hand. It was a box of cigarettes. He smiled with a shake of his head.

"You can't keep giving me gifts like this, Texas. I'm gonna be in debt at this rate."

She offered a rare smile. "You can repay me with your story." The car behind her blared its horn. Texas clicked her tongue. "If you ever remember." She waved a final time before rolling up the window. The two monks stood on the side of the street, waving as the vehicle drove off.

"Bye! If you're ever in town, let us know!" Exusiai had stuck her body out the window, waving both her arms. "I'll treat you to some great—auf!" Her head struck a passing street lamp. They laughed as she reluctantly withdrew into the car.

Texas flicked her eyes towards her partner who was massaging the back of her head. The Lupo sighed. "Exusiai."

"Yea?"

She was uncertain how to proceed. "About what Aurelian said earlier. He—" She hesitated. "He doesn't have a mother."

The angel froze. The pain in her head dissipated. Wide-eyed, she looked up at her friend as she felt her heart plunge. "W-What?"

"Aurelian doesn't have parents. He was raised by our client. He's an orphan. I just… thought you should know in case you speak with him again."

Exusiai clawed at her sternum. She suddenly felt the weight of her words constricting her chest. "I-I didn't know. Why would he say that?"

"Beats me," Texas replied. She had a feeling that Exusiai already knew the answer.

"I should apologize. I'll send him a message."

Texas shook her head. "No, don't. He willingly lied to you. He was prepared for the consequences, no matter how minor."

"Haah… You're right. I just hope he didn't take it personally."

A small grin slipped onto Texas's face. "Something tells me he didn't."

Aurelian and Sage walked past a crowd of tourists. A nearby sign read 'Triumphal Arch of Mithridates the Great'. Well, he seems pretty humble. "I'm going to miss those two."

"This Saga shall misseth them as well. They were most entertaining indeed."

Aurelian reached into his coat and pulled out his phone. He smirked. "By the way, Saga. Exusiai sent me something on my phone, I was hoping you could help me figure it out."

"Saga wouldst be glad to help!"

"Thanks." She nodded enthusiastically as he tapped the screen a few times before showing Saga his device.

"Ah, 'tis a video! Let me show you how it works." She pressed play.

"Because I'm a frickin' dog!"
Slam!

Blood rushed to her face. She suddenly reached for the phone, trying to stop the endless loop.

"Aurelius! Delete that video, right now!"

Taking advantage of his height, Aurelian held it above his head and beyond Saga's reach. "No, I don't think I will. You wouldn't happen to have the Old Man's number would you?"

She blanched, horrified. "No, you wouldn't dare."

"Oh, I would."

Saga stood on her toes and jumped in a futile

attempt to extend her reach. He simply leaned back.

"I swear to god, I will end you!"

Aurelian laughed as he danced around her attempts to snatch his phone.

She suddenly stopped. Saga's ears twitched as she looked around. "Did you hear that?"

"What are you talking about? The only thing I hear is the lack of your fake accent."

She blushed. "Young master, be serious. I—Saga believeth it to be a fight."

"You know, the third person is cute and all, but I can do without the dated Victorian." He paused as indistinct shouting reached his ears. "Wait, I think I hear it. Very faint. It's coming from that crowd of tourists beneath the other Triumphal Arch." The voice was feminine, but beyond that, he couldn't make out a single thing. A minute passed as the shouting grew louder and more intelligible.

"...take to the roofs and aim for his feet! We can't let him get to the Forum!"

Suddenly, a masked man carrying a large box burst from the crowd, shoving confused tourists aside as he made his way toward the domed Senate house. A pair of Oni was hot on his heels. "Somebody stop him!" One of them shouted as a Durin caster tottered behind them. A white-haired Sankta leaped from a nearby roof and hit the ground running. Why can't I do that…?

Aurelian didn't know what to make of the bizarre scene before him. It felt like the beginning of a joke. So, two Oni, a Durin, and a Sankta walk into a bar… He leaned towards his friend. "What's going on? Is this some kind of publicity stunt?"

She shook her head but tracked the masked with her eyes. "This Saga doth not know. Regardless, she has a bad feeling about this."

Citizens and tourists alike looked on in confusion as the caster flicked her wand, sending a bolt of originium arts towards the fleeing man. They fell short of her target.

"He's got a bomb!" She cried, hoping to warn the Senate guards, but it was too late. The suspicious figure dashed past the guards, who were too shocked to intervene.

What the heck!? Who the hell promoted Tweedledee and Tweedledum?!

A moment of tense silence passed before a shouting magistrate ran from the building. "Run!"

All hell broke loose.

Screams of horror filled the forum as the Senate house was rocked by a series of deafening explosions, cutting all power and sending chunks of marble and granite into the sky. The forum was plunged into darkness. The inner chamber's dome collapsed as panicked officials streamed from the burning building. The two Oni and the Sankta rushed up the steps and into the fire. "Jessica's still in there! We need to help her!" The Durin looked on with fear.

Aurelian and Sage shared a look. She nodded. Together they ran towards the Senate house. If an exploding governmental facility wasn't a sign from god, he didn't know what was.

Climbing the steps, Aurelian placed a comforting hand on the Durin's head. "Don't worry, leave it to your big brother and big sister." He dashed off. He couldn't let a child rush in on her own.

Saga and Aurelian were blasted by a wall of hot air the moment they stepped into the building. The scorching flames cast an eerie, orange glow against the night sky. Directly ahead, the Oni were engaged in fierce combat with several masked individuals. Aurelian spotted the Sankta crouching amongst the rubble of the fallen dome, providing long-range support.

"Shit. There are too many of them… they're gonna get overwhelmed. Saga, you think you can take 'em?"

The monk growled, summoning her polearm from a cloud of smoke. "For a bowl of natto over rice? Anything."

"Alright, I'm going to search the building for survivors."

Saga nodded. Raising her weapon, the Perro charged into the fray, shouting: "Sneak attack! Aburaage!"

One of Oni turned to face her. "It's not a sneak attack if it isn't a surprise!" She cried.

"It hath been quite a while, Ms. Yato!"

Aurelian grinned beneath his helmet. He shook his head. He didn't have time to be entertained by Saga's antics. Turning around, he burst into action. His boots slapped the smooth granite floor as he thundered down an adjacent hallway.

Turning a corner, he heard the sharp cracks of distant gunfire followed by another explosion. He braced himself as a wave of hot air and dust rushed by him—the wall ahead had crumbled to the ground. How the building was still standing was beyond him. Using his staff as leverage, he vaulted over the rubble and landed in a roll. He continued running, willing the staff to his side.

Aurelian turned a second corner and spotted a purple-haired feline sitting behind a collapsed wall. Curled in a fetal position, she clutched a dead body close to her chest, muttering to herself. The poor bastard must have been killed in the explosion. He rushed towards her.

As he approached, Aurelian dropped his staff and crouched down, sliding to a stop. He reached out to check on the whimpering cat. However, the moment his hands touched her black jacket, her head whirled in his direction. Her pupils dilated.

Shit.

She reeled back with a scream. "Get away from me!" Her green eyes shook as she staggered backward, tripping over her friend's body. The girl was shell-shocked. "Leave us alone!" Us? What 'us'? Couldn't she see her teammate was already dead? He slowly approached the feline from a lower angle, hoping to appear less intimidating.

"It's okay. I'm not going to hurt you. I'm here to help."

"No!" Aurelian brought a finger to his lips and shushed the girl. Why couldn't this bitch stay quiet?! She was going to attract unwanted attention! He caught movement in the corner of his eyes. Casters.

Double shit.

Scratching, kicking, and biting, the girl screamed as he tackled her to the ground Thankfully, his coat protected him from her assault. Recalling his staff, he raised it into the air. "Realm of Celestial Divinity—Deva, I summon thee: Voronoi!" His inner child couldn't help but feel a little giddy. Hell yeah! Nailed it!

Pressure waves burst from Aurelian, forming a protective dome as it rapidly expanded in all directions. Pushing aside anything it touched, the force briefly cleared the area of smoke and ash. The waves slammed into the incoming bolts of energy, sending them hurtling into the group of casters with an explosion.

The expansion slowed as the technique dissipated. Aurelian fell to his knees, supporting himself with his staff as a gust of scorching hot air blew past him. The smell of smoke returned with the air, filling the void Voronoi left in its wake. His eyes watered in irritation. He looked down to check if the girl had received any injuries. Aurelian sighed with relief. She was fine. Well, as fine as a frightened cat could be. He was glad to see that she had stopped resisting. The feline merely looked up at him through her matted hair before falling unconscious.

Oh, fuck.

Tearing off a portion of his cloak, Aurelian fashioned a makeshift mask. He tied it around the girl's nose and mouth. He lightly slapped her cheek. "Oi, Come on, stay with me." It was no use, she was out cold. He checked her pulse: at least she was still alive, but he didn't have time. The longer their smoke exposure: the greater the damage. Aurelian had no time to think. He heard rapid footsteps approaching from behind him.

"Hey! There's one over here!" He turned around. Another masked figure stood across the hall.

"Well. Looks like you've been playing a little rough with our boys here." The figure said as two crossbowmen ran to his side. Four swordsmen appeared from around the corner and raised their shields. Aurelian cursed under his breath. He knew he couldn't take on all seven at once in a fair fight. "Since I'm feeling nice today, if you surrender now we'll let you off the hook. I'll even let you have a turn with that feline over there. How 'bout it?"

If he can't win in a fair fight, then he'll win in an unfair fight. Aurelian growled. "Eat my socks." He pushed himself to his feet, gripping his staff with both hands. Sure, it wasn't the most threatening of statements, but in his defense, he was exhausted; Voronoi had drained him of energy. While he may be running on fumes, he'd be damned if he let those creeps have their way.

"Pity." The crossbowmen readied their shots. Aurelian lifted his staff. A bead of sweat trickled down his temple.

"Loose!" A pair of bolts screamed toward him.

Guide the staff… His movements became a blur as he windmilled his weapon in a blitz of orbits. As the bolts neared him, Aurelian shifted his hands to angle the staff towards the projectiles. Up, over, and around… They clattered uselessly to the floor.

"Gr… again!"

Two more were already in the air. Aurelian continued to deflect the incoming bolts. His excessive movements were causing him to inhale more smoke. It irritated his lungs, but he forcefully withheld his coughs. Coughing now would be fatal. He had fared well against the initial onslaught of missiles, but the maneuver was taxing and his arms began to tire. The projectiles had begun to pile around his feet. The occasional stray bolt slipped through his defenses as his movements became increasingly sloppy. He was surprised by how dull they were. The projectiles couldn't pierce his skin, but that didn't mean they didn't hurt! He just had to hold out a little longer…

Mother of god! That stings!

The stream of bolts came to an end. "What are you idiots doing?! Keep firing!"

"We're spent, sir!"

Aurelian smirked. Perfect. He fell to the ground with a sweep of a leg, throwing the bolts into the air. Aurelian's red eyes glowed as he tapped into his remaining strength. "Realm of Celestial Divinity—Deva, I summon thee: Vo!" A wall of pressure burst from his staff, propelling the swarm of projectiles toward the masked men. They fell to the floor. He was fairly sure they were still alive but didn't care to check.

Wasting no time, Aurelian slung the unconscious feline over his shoulder and tucked her fallen comrade beneath his other arm. He took a full three steps before the irritation overcame his control. He hunched forward as a series of coughs racked his body. They only served to introduce more smoke into his system. His mind began to feel fuzzy. He needed to get out. Fast. So he ran. He felt a bit awkward, running with two bodies and a staff, but somehow he managed. I'm so totally gonna feel this in the morning… aw crap. Exusiai is rubbing off on me.

Aurelian dashed out of the building. He saw a Sankta and a Savra holding back the two masked Oni from before. He took a few steps before collapsing, catching himself with his staff.

"Jessica!" Durin cried. The Oni broke free as Aurelian shakily pushed himself to his feet. They ran towards him.

"I got her, but she needs immediate medical attention." Aurelian rasped. He gently handed her over to Yato who ran off.

Aurelian saw Saga waving from the bottom of the stairs next to a familiar flying vehicle. He noticed operators wearing identical black and blue jackets running about, tending to the injured. Rhodes Island had set up an emergency clinic. He noticed Yato dropping off Jessica before rushing back.

Maybe they're not so bad after all. He thought as she passed him. Aurelian winced as the throbbing pain returned, flushing all thoughts from his mind. His body began moving on its own, carrying the dead operator away from the group. He had no authority over his limbs

Noir Corne stepped forward. "Hey! Stop, where are you—"

Adnachiel placed a hand on his shoulder. "Trust him. He bears no ill will."

Aurelian dutifully walked towards the stairs and sat on the topmost step. He watched as his body moved his hand beneath the dead operator's armpit, holding it limp in his lap. He clenched his jaw, gnashing his teeth as the searing pain seemed to increase threefold. His vision fluctuated as he faded in and out of consciousness. The shrill voice returned, echoing in his mind as if it were a tin can.

Grasp the soul…

Eyes glowing red, Aurelian's body plunged his hand into the operator's chest. A wisp of blue light clung to his hand as it re-emerged—the body still intact.

Return his soul—his Jiva—to Samsara… pray to Astaphaios, King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

The pain subsided as Aurelian regained control of his body. He moved his hand away from the corpse—a perfect replica of the Pietà.

Adnachiel gaped, "The Messiah! He's the Messiah!"

"Is that his name?" Durin asked.

"Well, no. It's a title. But you wouldn't call a king by his name, would you?"

"Astaphaios, please accept this wayward child as he returns to your embrace." Aurelian prayed. "May you guide his Jiva to Samsara and into the next realm and may he be rewarded for his deeds in this life and the next." He watched the soul shoot into the heavens, forming a new star where it landed. He rose to his feet. "So let it be spoken; so let it be done." He looked over his shoulder and caught Yato staring in awe. He winked, for what it was worth, and carried the body back.

Yato felt her heart skip a beat. She had been caught off guard by the gesture. "What a strange man…"

Aurelian handed the body over to Noir Corne. "Thank you for your trust."

"What was that?"

"I… don't know. But I think," Aurelian paused and looked up at the new star. It twinkled brightly as if thanking him. "I think he's in a better place now."

"Hello!" He turned. A purple-haired Sarkaz ran up the stairs, her satchel bouncing against her leg as she approached. She stopped with a salute. "I am medical intern Hibiscus! I am in charge of health management for operators at Rhodes Island and I appreciate your cooperation!"

Aurelian chuckled and ruffled her hair. "I've heard about you."

"Ehehe…" The young intern seemed to melt under his hand. "No, wait! I am here to perform a medical examination!"

"But I feel fin—ack!" A vicious cough took hold of his body.

"Uhm… yeah. No. That's not fine." She puffed up and thumped her chest with pride. "Don't be afraid! You are safe here with me!"

"Alright, do your worst."

"Roger!" Hibiscus lifted her staff and, with a little hop and a kick, a warm, green aura overtook him. Aurelian felt the irritation in his lungs disappear. His mind sharpened while the bruises on his body began to vanish one by one.

"Hey, you're pretty good at this. Even balancing on one foot."

"Of course!" The warmth receded as Hibiscus relaxed her stance. "All done!"

Aurelian was impressed. He had heard of medical arts but had never seen it in action. From what the Old Man said, it usually involved either a mop or flying glass jars. Neither of which sounded particularly fun. He ruffled her hair again. "Thanks, kid."

"Ehehehe… No! Not again! I'm not a kid. I'm 16!"

"Yeah… No. That's not an adult." He said, throwing her words back at her. "Come back when you're 20, chibi."

Hibiscus hmphed and marched back down the stairs, passing the white Savra. "Mr. Rangers, Mr. Knight is a bully."

The operator chuckled. "So it seems. Thank you, young man. Your actions today saved the lives of many. I'd like to ask you to come with me, we have much to discuss." He had nothing to lose, Aurelian shrugged and summoned his staff before following him down the steps.

"That's quite the unique trick you have there, Messiah."

"Thanks! Wait, what?"

Saga waved him over before he could correct Rangers. "Young master! We are being invited to Rhodes Island. Dr. Kal'tsit would like to speak with us. She even mentioned a reward!" He looked up at Rangers. The Savra nodded. A reward? He could get behind that.

"How are we getting there?"

Saga slapped the side of the flying machine. "With this of course!"

He paled.

Man does not belong in the sky. If humans were meant for flight, then the gods would have given them wings. Aurelian groaned as he leaned on Yato for support. He could still hear Hibiscus's godawful flight song echoing in his head as the machine lowered itself onto the landship.

Those magnificent Ops in their flying machines,
They go up-tiddly-up-up!
They go down-tiddly-up-down!

They fuckin' kill all of their enemies,
With their up-tiddly-up-up!
And their down-tiddly-up-down!

He hadn't expected those words to come from her mouth. Unfortunately, her little tune was terrifyingly catchy.

As they disembarked, the little devil 'accidentally' kicked the back of his knees as she passed, causing both Aurelian and Yato to fall. She walked off whistling innocently while a passing Saga offered them a hand.

"So now what? You said you have to go to a debriefing?" He asked, rubbing his sore bottom.

Yato sighed. "Indeed." Her knuckles paled as her grip tightened around her sword. "The mission was a failure. We lost one operator with another in a questionable state. I've failed Rhodes Island as the captain of A4."

They stood in silence and watched members of staff carry both Jessica and the fallen operator away on stretchers.

Aurelian hummed in thought. "Yes, I suppose you did fail. Not only were you unable to complete a simple task, but your actions destroyed company equipment, collateral damage to governmental facilities, the death of an employee, and the injury of another." Yato's grip tightened with every word.

Rangers cleared his throat. "Mr. Messiah, I believe that comment was unnecessary."

"Oh, please. She's a failure of a captain."

"You bastard…" Noir Corne stepped forward but was held back by Adnachiel and Rangers. "How was any of that her fault?! It was beyond her control!" He shouted. "Yato did her best to—"

Some people just need some tough love.

"And does that change anything?" Aurelian shouted, slamming the butt of his staff against the tarmac. "What about his family? His mother and father; his brothers and sisters? His lover? His friends? Is that what you're going to tell them? That you couldn't save their son's life because it was 'out of your control'? That you couldn't bring a brother home because he was 'in the wrong place at the wrong time'? Is that what life means to you!? Just an honest mistake? As if an excuse could bring their son back."

Noir Corne growled. As much as he hated it, Aurelian was right. Nothing they could do would ever make up for the loss of their loved one. Yato's hand began to shake under her own strength.

He scoffed. "You've shattered a family and now you plan to leave them with an excuse as they attempt to graft skin over the wound you gave them."

Saga reached out to him, but he swatted her hand away. "Three hours ago, that body was a man and that man had hopes and dreams. And in a mere fraction of an instant, that man went from the greatest something to the lowest nothing. You could punch it: you could kick it: you could skin it and beat it, and it'll do absolutely nothing because it's dead. It's no better than a rock." He paused. "Think about it. They sent out a man and you brought home a rock."

Aurelian's glare softened. With a smile, he gently laid the tip of his staff on Yato's shaking hand. He felt her jump as the cold metal touched her skin. "But that's why you're an amazing leader."

Yato looked up in surprise. "Wha?"

Aurelian smiled beneath his mask. "Yes, the pain and suffering caused by your actions are indeed terrible and you may have brought home a rock, but today, you also brought home six people."

"A captain executes their mission with their utmost ability: that you failed. But a leader brings their teammates home. You could have had seven shattered families, but you managed to save six of them from the pain of loss. A captain only takes responsibility for the success of a mission, but a leader takes responsibility for the lives of their subordinates. Anyone can be a captain, but not everyone can be a leader. As long as you bring a single person home, then your mission as a leader was a success."

"I…" Yato was speechless.

Aurelian chuckled, tapping her head with his staff. "You're a shit captain, but I think you're an astounding leader. Think about it."

The group was silent.

"Heh!" They were startled by Noir Corne's sudden laugh. "You had me there for a minute, boss. For a hot second, I thought you were a real bastard. Haha! Call me surprised!"

"Hey, you've got a horn, but you don't hear me calling you horny, do you?"

Durin groaned as Rangers let out a hearty laugh. "Gods… why can't you just… be serious all the time…"

"Been there; done that."

Still deep in thought, Yato turned to face her squad. "Everyone, go get some rest. You deserve it. I'll take Messiah and Saga up to Dr. Kal'tsit's office and…inform her of my failure." Team A4 nodded and dispersed.

Ten minutes later, Aurelian found himself in a spacious office flanked by Saga and Yato. A green-haired feline sat at a desk, typing away on a computer. She glanced up.

"It's nice to see you again, Ms. Saga."

Saga beamed. "It is this Saga's pleasure!"

Yato approached the doctor and gave a summary of the events and the circumstances leading up to the failure of their mission. "I apologize, Doctor Kal'tsit."

The Lynx waved off her concern. "This time it was beyond your control. You will be placed on probation for two weeks. That is all. I hope you learned something valuable today." Yato whispered her thanks. "And as for you two," Kal'tsit said, addressing Aurelian and Saga. "I'd like to express my thanks on behalf of all of Rhodes Island for saving our operators."

Aurelian scratched his neck sheepishly. "Aw, it was nothing. We were bored anyways, weren't we Saga?"

The Perro nodded, "Indeed!"

"Regardless of your reasons, we owe you a great debt. We will see that you are rewarded."

Yato stepped forward. "I apologize for interrupting Dr. Kal'tsit, but the skills they displayed on the field were nothing short of extraordinary. I firmly believe their abilities would be a great asset for Rhodes Island."

"Oh, is that so?"

"Yes ma'am. I can personally vouch for their characters. They are monks from the mountain temples of Higashi. Their virtue is second to none."

Ohh… I wouldn't say that. A certain Sarkaz has something coming her way…

"First, Messiah displayed an ability to think quickly while adapting to unexpected circumstances." Aurelian grinned. Keep it coming! "He is proficient in wielding his shakujou and utilized powers of unknown strength and origin." No stop! Now you've said too much!

Kal'tsit's eyes narrowed. He didn't like that look at all. "I see. And Ms. Saga?"

"She performed admirably, despite her frequent banter. She displayed an innate ability to critically injure an opponent without outright killing them. She would make for an excellent vanguard, or possibly a specialist." Saga beamed with pride at Yato's praise.

"Interesting…" Kal'tsit took a sip from a mug. "Very well. Yato, please escort Ms. Saga down to HR for an interview, I believe Earthspirit is currently on duty. After that, you may retire for the day. I'm sure you have much to think about." The Oni saluted with a click of her heels and gestured for Saga to follow.

"Saga bids thee well, young master." Aurelian waved as they left the room.

Kal'tsit fixed her cold gaze on him. "So, Messiah was it? A fitting name for the man Satanael raised."

"You know the Old Man?" He was surprised at the influence his father wielded.

"Know him? He's been nothing but a headache since the day I met him. I suppose you could call us friends. But to name his own son 'Messiah' of all things—the arrogance."

Aurelian internally cursed Adnachiel. "About that, my name is Lucius Aurelius Aurelianus."

"Oh?"

"For some reason, the other Sankta worship the ground I walk on. Adnachiel was it? It's his fault."

The nurse nodded. She didn't seem surprised at all. "Well, it doesn't matter now. You shouldn't use your real name out on the field. Every operator has their own codename though some, like Yato, elected to keep their own. If you'd like, we could register you under the codename 'Messiah'."

Aurelian wanted to immediately reject the suggestion. However, a small part of him had secretly enjoyed being called 'Messiah'. It made him feel important—wanted. Bah, what the hell. Half the people here probably know me as 'Messiah' anyways. Might as well make it official. He thought. "Eh…why not."

"Very well." Kal'tsit pushed a button on her desk. "Amiya, please report to my office at your earliest convenience. Bring a blank ID as well." She paused, releasing the button. "How was life like with Satanael as a father? He doesn't seem to be the type to settle down and have a kid."

Aurelian chuckled. "You'd be right. He's my adopted father. Six years ago, the Old Man found me on a beach and took me in. He was always pulling pranks and kicking my ass, but in a sense, it was his way of showing that he cared."

Kal'tsit scoffed. "That's him alright. How about your biological parents?"

"Never met them."

"You raised yourself?"

"No, I uh… I'm sure I've met them, heck, the Old Man knows 'em. But as for me, I don't remember a thing about them. I don't remember a single thing at all."

"You have amnesia?"

"Yeah."

"My condolences. We can use our resources here at Rhodes Island to investigate your identity."

"Yeah, no. Gonna pass on that."

"May I ask why?"

He smirked. "You may."

Her eyes narrowed dangerously. "I have a feeling we're not going to get along very well. 'Why?'"

"Because this is something important to me. It'll mean nothing if I have some third party serve me an answer on a silver platter. I want to do this myself."

"I see. Shame. As for living arrangements, we have a myriad of dorms spread throughout Rhodes Island. All of them are tailored to fit the various needs of our operators. Do you have any requests?"

"Uh… are there any private bathrooms?"

"They're all communal."

"Then I'd like somewhere quiet. Closed off with not many people around. I don't want people uh…" he paused, tapping his helmet, "I don't want people staring when I'm bathing."

"I see. I do hope that artificial muscle is working for you. Then I'm going to assume that you don't want a roommate?"

"If you could?"

"Very well. Anything else?"

"Would it be possible to retrofit a bathtub with an alcoholic eggnog tap?"

"Yes."

"Really?!"

"No." Aurelian deflated.

There was a knock on the door. "Dr. Kal'tsit you called for me?"

"Yes, come in."

It opened to reveal a Cautus girl in her mid to late teens dressed in an oversized Rhodes Island jacket. Her long, chocolate-colored ears bounced with every step.

Kal'tsit addressed her with a nod. "Thank you for coming, Amiya."

So this girl was Amiya. She was about a foot shorter, not including her ears, but her eyes… This kid has seen some shit.

"This is operator Messiah. He will be joining us as our latest guard operator."

Amiya offered a dainty hand. Uh… what are you doing? What do you expect me to do here? Aurelian awkwardly tapped her hand with his. Like that?

The girl blinked. "Oh, that's new." She giggled. "It's nice to meet you, Messiah. As Dr. Kal'tsit said, my name is Amiya. I'm the CEO of Rhodes Island."

"I'm sorry, the what? Did you just say CEO?"

She smiled behind her sleeve. "Yes. It's rather surprising, isn't it? You wouldn't expect to see a young girl like me operating as the CEO of a large company."

Girl, that wasn't the problem. "I'm sorry, what's a CEO?"

"I like this one, Dr. Kal'tsit. He's funny." Amiya produced a card from her jacket and placed it on the desk. "Here's the ID you wanted."

"Thank you." Kal'tsit inserted the card into a machine. "You say that about every new operator, but he's telling the truth, Amiya. He was raised in a secluded temple far from modern society. Anyways, as we were discussing, I've decided to assign Messiah to room B405. There are a few other operators there, but most of them keep to themselves. The girl you saved, Jessica, is in room B406. I am afraid, however, that she will be relegated to the hospital ward for the foreseeable future." She said while typing away on her computer.

"You must be careful, operator Messiah. Some of the inhabitants of B4 can be very dangerous and it's best to avoid them. As much as I'd like for them to forge their own friendships here at Rhodes Island, I don't think you're the right person for the job."

Aurelian felt a bit miffed. The lady straight-up said he wasn't good enough. "I guess you could say I'm the left person for the job, huh?"

"…You're just like your father." She removed the ID from the machine and handed it to Amiya. "And I hate that. Get him out of here." He relished in her irritation.

"Okay Messiah, follow me. I'll show you around."

Kal'tsit waited for the two to leave her office, before picking up a phone. She quickly dialed a number. "Hello? Yes. I need you to do a search for me… I'll send a photo over as soon as I can… Everything… Yes, everything including the Ægir."

After leaving the office, Amiya looked up with a guilty smile. "I'm sorry Messiah, I couldn't help but eavesdrop on your conversation with Dr. Kal'tsit. It must be frightening to have amnesia."

Aurelian chuckled. "It wasn't all that bad. It's not often you get a chance to reinvent yourself."

"Yes, I suppose that's true! If you don't mind me asking, what was it like waking up without your memories?"

"Hmm…it was kind of like waking up from sleep. One day I simply… just existed. Out of nowhere, poof! I was just there. It felt like I had been born." They stepped into an elevator.

A young Kuranta carrying a tray of food walked past them just as the doors began to close. She took a curious glance inside the elevator and dropped her tray in shock. Aurelian stifled a chuckle as she panicked about, picking up pieces of food.

Amiya looked up at him. "She's also a new hire. She just returned from her first mission yesterday."

"I want to adopt her."

The girl nodded, sending her ears into a tizzy. "I know what you mean!"

Aurelian looked around the elevator in silence. Rhodes Island had nine floors. It was a very large facility and despite his misgivings, he had to admit it. It was rather nice.

"Liskarm told me you saved Jessica. She was beside herself with worry. I am truly grateful for your actions. She is a dear friend of mine and such a talented operator, but her diffidence hampers her performance in combat."

"Anyone would have done the same, but about what the doctor said. About the residents on B4…"

Amiya shook her head. "I disagree with Dr. Kal'tsit. I don't think any of the operators on B4 are dangerous. They're just misunderstood. So if you could, please get along with them."

Aurelian chuckled. "I can try, but I can't promise anything. I'm not very good at making friends."

Amiya smiled. "That's all I ask." She paused, pointing at his helmet. "I couldn't help but notice you wearing a helmet indoors."

"Oh uh, sorry?"

She giggled. "There's no need to apologize. It just reminds me of someone."

"It does? Who?"

Amiya smiled wistfully. "My father."

The elevator announced its arrival with a sharp ding. They stepped out onto B4. "I'm sure he was a great man. I consider myself lucky. Trust me, you don't want to remind someone of my father. I had to kick him out of the house because he couldn't stop farting at night."

Amiya held her stomach in laughter. It was a beautiful sound. "Thank you for the laugh. It's been a long week." She stopped in front of a door and handed him the plastic card. "This is your ID. It functions as both a key and a digital wallet. So make sure not to lose it!"

"Yes'sm."

"Oh, and one more thing." She said, demonstrating how to open the door. "You should be careful with your door. The doors on B4 tend to become stuck if left closed for too long. Once stuck, it's impossible to reopen without disassembling the entire frame and since we're out of spare parts, replacing the door could take months."

Of course, they do… Scratch what he said. Aurelian was starting to view Rhodes Island with increasing contempt. That's the problem with technology: it all seems fun and convenient until it suddenly breaks down on 'ya. Whereas good old wooden doors: they never broke! "Thanks for the heads up. I'll keep that in mind." He said, entering his room. They exchanged farewells before he shut the door.

The room was quite pleasant. With a solid granite floor and metallic walls, the room gave off a very 'modern' vibe. There was a bed against the far side of the room with a recessed window occupying the entirety of the wall. Aurelian's phone vibrated. He pulled it out.

Exusiai: Uh. hey messiah… u left ur luggage in the back of the van LOL try not to soil ur undies 3

"Fuck!"

Amiya giggled beneath a sleeve as she entered the elevator. It seems like Rhodes Island just got a bit livelier.