A few days passed and nothing had changed. Nier and Weiss didn't speak much to each other after their little heart to heart outside of the Forest of Myth. Weiss was still trying to stomach all of the information he'd been forced to take in. Kaine? A hermaphrodite? I mean, it shouldn't really vary his opinion to severely, it was simply a lot to let sink in.

Kaine and Nier hadn't spoken since their forced expedition for the key stone piece. Weiss suspected that wasn't about to change. No one seemed very sure of what to say to one another. So, instead, each had immersed themselves in something to ease their minds. Nier had picked up side work for the villagers once more, Kaine had gone a bit rogue and was slaughtering shades in the plains, and Weiss…

The old book floated through the village market, ignoring the towns folk as he made his way for the gate to the western plains. He'd arranged to meet with Emil there. The two intended to make a day of nosing around Emil's former home so they could rifle through some of the documents they hadn't had the time to really delve into before. Weiss was very curious about the files containing information on Gestalts.

Emil was waiting for him as he reached the gates. The poor boy dare not step inside. The villagers wouldn't allow him and Kaine into their town. They feared what they did not understand. But the boy waved a long skeletal arm at the old tome as he floated to meet him. "You ready for an adventure, Weiss?" Emil greeted cheerfully.

Nothing phased the young lad. "Certainly." Weiss drawled, keeping his tone at its usual level "Are you sure you know where they are? I'd rather not spend an entire evening lost in the bowels of another migraine inducing puzzle."

Emil nodded. "Yup! They're in the library!" he laughed, and began to lead the way down the trial to his mansion.

The two were quite lucky and ran into no assailants on their short journey and were able to make their way down into the depths of the secret lab that lie in wait. They emerged into the dimly lit library, unharmed. "I believe we left the files over on that table!" Emil said animatedly.

He had chattered almost nonstop the entire way to this place. Weiss would have been a lot more annoyed normally, but he was weighed down by the guilt of his knowledge. "Right." Weiss replied sheepishly "Well, we shouldn't waste time."

He glided in the direction of the table but stopped short. Emil was, to the best of the books knowledge, eyeing him, unmoving. Turning to face him, Weiss asked tentatively "Something wrong. Lad?"

At first Emil said nothing, simply turning his head. His free arm reached up to scratch the back of his head, making a soft scraping sound. "Some…something has kinda been bothering me…"

Oh no. Weiss couldn't say he was shocked. He had half expected the boy to decide this would be the perfect time to interrogate him about the strange behavior of his companions. It was painfully obvious Kaine and Nier were avoiding each other. The two usually had a few foul words for each other but, as a whole, they were usually very friendly to one another. This sudden abstinence in speech was greatly concerning. "Er, what it is, Emil?" Weiss responded reluctantly.

"It's about Kaine and Nier." He began, exactly as Weiss had feared "I know you said it was just lack of sleep, but they really seem to be upset with each other."

Weiss tried to answer cooly, "They are both likely very stressed from the current situ-"

But he was cut off "Yeah, but, they never acted like this! And just a week ago, they both seemed so happy! I mean, I didn't expect it to last since I figured Nier was just excited Kaine was ok, but they are completely the opposite now!"

Weiss attempted to speak once more, but Emil kept on with his ranting "I can't think of anything at all that could have brought this on. But I know you know something because you've been quiet to and that's not like you at all."

The Grimoire couldn't help but be slightly offended "Are you insinuating that I talk too much?"

Emil laughed, causing the book to ruffle his pages a bit. "No, not at all! You just always are very open with your opinions on things."

"Its hard to HAVE an opinion when no one speaks." Weiss mumbled.

Emil's head turned a little on its side. "But you do know, don't you, Weiss?"

Grimoire. The book told himself. "It's nothing you need be-"

"Please don't treat me like a kid." Emil pleaded, his head snapped back in its proper place.

There really was no getting around it. Emil had every right to know what was going on. Especially since he was the one living with the hussy. "Emil…Kaine is…"

But Weiss never got the chance to finish the sentence. Just then, a shade materialized from the shadowy corner of the room, a large one at that. "EMIL! MOVE!"

The skeleton boy moved just in time. A large arm came crashing down through the air and landed exactly where he had been. The loud horrible screeching sounds that were a language only understood between the monsters rang through the air as the arm yanked itself free from the cracked stone.

Weiss sprang into action. "I'll teach you foul creatures to intrude on a private conversation!" he roared angrily.

He snapped open wide, pages flying in a gust of enchanted wind. Briefly he glowed red, then a stream of magic orbs sped from his spine. The monster was blasted back, still on his feet, but taking damage rapidly. Weiss may not have as mighty of power when on his own, but he could easily fend of a lower shade. Emil had snapped out of his shock from the surprise encounter and provided aid, releasing dark plasmic spells in rapid succession. Together, the two were able to subdue and eventually destroy the unwelcome guest.

As the Grimoire absorbed the last of the verses, Emil uttered "Looks like he brought friends."

The book spun in the air. Six more shades had spawned while the two had been preoccupied. "I don't think we can take all of them alone." Emil swallowed, edging towards the door.

"I'm afraid you are right." Weiss admitted bitterly "Perhaps its best we take these documents and continue this elsewhere."

Neither hesitated. They both spun round and glided swiftly through the causeway and off into the maze, scooping up the documents they'd come for.

I am deeply sorry I haven't updated in so long! I still can't believe so many people like this story! The beginning of the year is always hectic for me but I'm going to try and be better about updating in the summer, no promises though! But thank you for your patience! See you in chapter 5!