Among the emptied streets of Selene City, a scream resounded through the air, which, surprise you as it might, had a way of shattering the silent tranquility. A single person, a young woman, ran blindly through an alley, bolting down a nearby street.

The reason for this turn of events was plain as the daylight that had yet to come. A Remnant.

"EEK! Someone help!"

The beast burst from the alley, tearing after the woman, hell bent on catching his prey. The helpless woman, as she attempted to round a corner at the end of the avenue, tumbled painfully to the sidewalk.

I sighed. "Man, I wonder if I'll ever get used to this…" Well, no time to dwell on that…

With a mighty leap, I plummeted down from the rooftop, landing neatly between the Remnant and his victim of the day, ViVid landing beside me. The Remnant reared back at the sudden presence of another variable in his equation. I smirked. "Easy as falling off a log." With a flash of cerulean-tinted light, my staff materialized. "Well, what say we show this creepy bastard how we do things downtown?"

"Lamest line ever."ViVid informed me. "Let's just get on with this."

"Yeah, whatever."I raised my staff, swinging it in one huge arcing motion, and a burst of chilling wind and snow swooped in on the Remnant. It screeched in pain, coiling back, but quickly lunged forward again. I leapt to one side, and it's attack smashed pathetically into the road. "Now would be a good time!"

"I'm on it, Mouse."That was when ViVid leapt into the air with a tremendous kick and descended gracefully, smashing his heel into the reptilian Remnant's head, kicking off lightly, and landing back in the street.

"GUUUUUUUUUR-RRRRRRRRRRRRROOOOHH!" It roared out angrily.

"My, what a lovely singing voice he must have…" I stated, completely deadpan. ViVid threw me a look. "What?" I asked coyly.

The Remnant rushed at the two of us again, and we both leapt off to opposite sides. I have to hand it the guy, no matter how annoying ViVid can get, he's quite good with the acrobatics. Before he even touched the ground again, he kicked off from a lamppost, ricocheting back at the Remnant thing. With a double-slash of his twin swords at the Remnant, he jumped up, wind gathering around his blades. He crossed them over, and whipped them apart, and the gale soaring through the air and smashed into the Remnant.

"Well, let's do this." He said plainly as he landed back on the ground again, on the monsters other side. "Charm of the Lovers…"

"Right. Charm of the Magician…" I raised my staff, and the jewels dotting it glowed faintly as we recited the words.

"MAJOR ARCANA, SOUL RELEASE!" The Remnant exploded into light, and the air rushed and dropped a few degrees. As the light cleared, I dispelled my staff and the Magician dropped back into my hand. I heaved a yawn.

"Excellent." I shot an aside glance at Alessio as he slinked up to the area of the street where ViVid and me stood. "That's the third you've taken out, and I think we can call it a night."

"All in a night's work… A night I should have spent sleeping. I have school tomorrow!" I stuffed the Magician back into my coat pocket, and scooped up Alessio. "Let's head home."

ViVid shrugged, and I noticed his green eyes had a bit of a dull look in them. "You guys can. I think I'll do a few more round through the city first."

"Sure, go right ahead." I stated as I cracked my neck and stretched a little. Alessio nodded, and ViVid took off towards the other end of town.

"I wonder what's for breakfast tomorrow…" I mumbled as me and Alessio trotted off. I cast an aside glance at the woman we just saved. She was walking off, slinging her purse over her shoulder, acting like, "Okay, a monster tried to eat me, and I got saved by two kids who aren't older enough to drive. Nothing to see here."

Anyhow, Bianca here. It's been only three weeks since the one night I'll probably have some trouble forgetting, and I'm amazed how easily I've slipped into my new job. Surprisingly, it's not that bad. A few late nights here, a couple near-death fights there… Nothing an Arcane Wielder, her jerk companion, and her pet ferret can't handle.

As for how that…interesting encounter last night ended, I woke up at home several hours later. ViVid was slumped boredly on the bottom bunk of my bunk beds. He told me how much I snored, and briefly explained the aftermath. Madison, Burkley, everyone at the Borders, everybody nearby the Borders, and anyone who encountered or saw me or anyone I just listed, had their memories tossed around a bit (courtesy of Alessio) and a large chunk of those people were suddenly overcome with a need to go back home and go to sleep.

However, fixing the Borders was what they two of them couldn't handle. And that could be a problem, because the Borders looked like a couple of stupid kids with cool weapons had duked it out with a malicious monster that wanted to eat people.

Which is ironic, really, because that's exactly what happened.

Anyhow, the news and government, who were probably much more dumbfounded that they would let on, came up with some pseudo-plausible excuse for the bookstore we accidently wrecked.

As for ViVid and Alessio, they would be staying with me for a while, and – Alessio's memory-tampering to the rescue! – my parents and sis had no reason to think that having some sarcastic guy who came out of nowhere and a talking ferret living in the house was anything out of the ordinary. After all, what else does every household need?

"So, Alessio…" I asked casually, trying to make conversation. "How long do we have to keep this up?"

Alessio yawned, his tiny mouth gaping open tiredly. "I don't know, really… I never seen such an immense emergence of Remnants… Usually, having the boss and I go after them is enough…" He shifted in my arms, worried. "I can't help but wonder if something's causing so many Remnants to be born, perhaps for a purpose…"

Okay, that kind of disturbed me. I mean, who would want to make Remnants? Seriously, who would look at one and says, "Oh, a massive thing that used to be human and now goes around eating people… It's so cute! Let's get more!"

"Oh, hey, 'Lessio. I was wondering… Why do you always call ViVid boss?"

Alessio hesitated before giving me a reply. "Because that's what he is. I screwed up, and now I have to work for him and save the world. It's actually not that bad…"

"Um, what do you mean exactly?" I turned a corner down Tally Street, just one road away from the street I live on.

"I guess I was kind of stupid. I did something wrong, and Mother got angry. So, after ViVid was issued the Lovers and his position as an Arcane Wielder, she decided that, as punishment, I had to assist and work for him, and beat up Remnants whenever they pop up." He yawned again. " I think Mother thought it would be worse than it turned out. ViVid actually really likes me. Just expect me to listen to you that much."

I smiled a little at that. Alessio, all the power and wisdom and loyalty aside, can be quite… What's the word? Roguish. Although, it seemed to me that he and ViVid had stuck together for a pretty long time, and that Alessio really was looking out for us more often than not. I think I could get used to the guy.

"So, this is that new Arcane Wielder?" I immediately froze and clutched at the Magician, still in my pocket, as a voice suddenly slice through the night air. Alessio tensed and jumped out of my arms as the speaker appeared before us, standing proudly in the middle of the sidewalk before. "And here I was, hoping for a challenge…"

A whipped out the Magician and shifted it into my staff in two seconds flat. "Who are you?" I demanded.

The woman laughed. I really didn't like her laugh. Just by looking at her, I could she was going to be trouble. She had long dark green hair, and amber eyes with slitted, cat-like pupils. She wore a tight, body-hugging red top, and a long, swishing black skirt. It didn't look like she was wearing shoes. Mystery woman had her eyes locked on Alessio and me and had a malicious grin etched on her face. I didn't know why, I felt like her face was a little familiar… I didn't bother dwelling on that though.

"My name is Ivy." She said slyly. "Well, actually, it's Martha Ivine, but I prefer Ivy." She whipped her hand across, releasing her grip on a small item she has holding. I floated and spun in front of her. "And I have orders to get you meddlers out of the way. It seems our mistress doesn't like you hurting her creations."

The object before her stopped moving and glowed, and I got a pretty good look at it. It was shaped like a spade, and was a deep black color. Two slightly detached silver lines curled around it gently. There was a keyhole-shaped indent on the front.

I don't know why, but I immediately realized what it was. An Arcana Charm. That was not good.

Ivy's Charm started glowing a dark midnight blue color and shifting in shape. I knew what that meant, so I quickly took the opportunity. I leapt at her, batting the Charm away easily. I clattered dully to the ground. Not that I noticed or anything, as I sent a wild kick at this nasty newcomer. Ivy bounded backwards to avoid my attack, and I whipped my staff around to strike her.

She dodged the swing, but the resulting blast of ice hit her full force. She yelped and flew back, but regained her senses and flipped in midair, landing nicely on the ground. "Now, now, little one. Didn't anyone tell you that it's not nice to attack strangers?"

I growled. "Didn't anyone ever tell you that it's not nice to make fun of people for being young?" I shot back. Alessio, who was going to retrieve Ivy's Charm, gave me a critizing look.

"Bianca, don't antagonize her." He reminded me. However, in the process of giving me useless advice, me also alerted Ivy to his location, and she abruptly dove past me, managing to avoid the staff attack I threw at her, and snatched her Charm away from the little guy.

"Sorry, weasel, but the Tower is mine." She shot at him with a sneer. Ivy cartwheeled, hopped back to her feet, and spun on her heel to face us. "Although, I have to hand it to you. You guys are a bit more up to a challenge than I thought."

She smirked. "This calls for further re-consideration." She smiled with sickening false cheer, gave a childish salute, and dissolved into nothing with a faint splash.

"Hmph." I snorted, and change my staff back into the Magician. "That was irritating."

Alessio was apparently not listening to me. He was seething and staring at the spot that Ivy disappeared. "Um, Alessio…?" I asked timidly.

"Weasel?" he growled.

"Uh, maybe—"

"Weasel?" he barked. "Who is she calling a weasel?!"

I let out an exasperated sigh. Alessio was too wrapped up in his angry to pay attention. As he vented out complaints angrily, I just sighed, walked over, and picked him up. "Either way, it's late. Let's head home."

"I am not a weasel." Alessio grumbled. I just sighed again.

* * *

"So…" I said tentatively. "Let's see if I got this right…" Alessio nodded. "Vivid went off on his own, and he still hasn't come back?" Alessio nodded again. "Then this weird woman shows up…"

"…And calls me a weasel…" he griped. I groaned. Alessio shot me that same condemning look.

"…And she mentions some mistress…." I continued. Alessio nodded and gave me a "Get on with it" look. "And then you find something important?"

"Basically." Alessio stated. I rolled my eyes.

"And this important thing would be…?"

Alessio glanced away, uncertain and worried. He slinked off my bed, and slipped underneath it. A second later, he reemerged, nudging something out with his nose. "Look."

I hopped down from my bottom bunk and knelt next to him. I gently picked up the little trinket he pushed out. It was shaped like a small cross; gold in color, with extravagant and delicately carved curves on the ends. A short, shabby chain was attached to a link on the back.

And, yes, there was a small keyhole shaped indented onto the front.

I stared at it, admittedly dumbfounded. Because I recognized it. "But… this is…" I gazed at Alessio, who nodded gloomily.

"Yes, the Lovers… ViVid's Arcana Charm…" he answered, wording my thoughts and fright perfectly. "I found it on your outside window still." He pointed his stubby nose towards my window.

"But… the window… That would have to mean th-that someone put it there."

Alessio nodded. "And I would bet that a certain woman we know had something do with it." He said "certain woman" in the same way that someone might say "evil bunnies" or "extra homework".

"Yeah, and Ivy said she was working for someone… And she had a Charm, too; the Tower." I reminded him. He nodded sullenly.

"We have to go look. Finding either of them would be a step in the right direction."

I was about to agreed, but then something occurred to me. "Um… Can this, uh, wait? I have to go to school in, like, ten minutes…"

Alessio sighed. "You go. I see what I do on my own. I'll meet you at the school when you're dismissed. That's two-thirty, right?"

I bit my lower lip a little. "Um, is that a good idea? You know, with Ivy running about, and ViVid…" Alessio smirked a little, as much as a blue talking ferret can.

He lifted one paw and pulled his goggles down over his eyes. "Don't underestimate me, okay? And besides – in case you haven't noticed – I'm small. I can get around a lot easier."

"Well, okay, if you're sure. Just be careful." I replied.

"Bianca!! You're going to be late!" I grimaced as a mood-killer barreled through my door in the form of my mom's voice. I groaned, and pulled my backpack onto my shoulders. "That's my cue." I told Alessio, and hurried into the hall.

"Bye, Mom. Bye, Dad." I said as I pulled on my jacket and scurried out the door. Suddenly, I couldn't really suppress the bubble of anxiety and annoyance as I stomped down the front steps. I was pretty sure right now, something was creating and controlling all the dumb Remnants that we had to fight. This Ivy freak was working for-slash-with this mystery person, and now ViVid was nowhere to be found. And what was I doing right now?

I was going to middle school. Yes, fate can be very taxing and cruel.

* * *

Ugh. I was the last period on what was the worst school day of my life. Even chorus, food prep, and lunch where somehow un-enjoyable. (And it didn't help that we had chicken fajitas for lunch. Bleck.).

This weird lump in my throat won't go away. My head was buzzing with thoughts. I think I was getting a headache. I kept wondering about where ViVid and Alessio were now.

I couldn't help but wonder if ViVid…

I shook my head furiously, and told myself to stop worrying so much. Why was I so worked up, anyway? I had fought off shadowy freaks that wanted to eat me before, but, somehow, this was more worrying. Maybe because I had little idea what was going on? At least I knew that there were monsters, and that they wanted to eat me, and that I could take them on.

Maybe it was because I was more worried about ViVid than I'd prefer to admit.

And I completely deny saying that.

As soon as the school bell rang, and as soon as the teacher said, "You can go now." I gathered up my stuff and hurried out. I pushed my way through the bustling hallway. Thankfully, my locker wasn't too far from the math room.

After getting my coat and backpack from my locker, I dashed off towards the front door of the building. As I hurried up a small flight of stairs, I stopped abruptly at the inside doorway in front of me, as to avoid bumping into the girl who was trying to go through the door the opposite way. A girl I recognized…

"Ew! Don't touch me." Emma reminded me sharply, slipping past me with a sneer.

Why do Those Girls always feel they need to remind me no to touch them (almost) every time I they see me? I got the point the first time, and it's not like I'd want to anyway.

Those Girls is what I've taken to calling Emma Frostwood, Ava Jenkins, and Nicole Finch; basically the biggest pains in the neck that any middle-schooler could and should ever have to meet.

There's also Those Guys, these four guys that also meet the standards of Those Girls, but I have other things to worry about right now, so I'll dwell on the concept later.

As soon as I got outside, I quickly rushed down to the sidewalk, glancing around a little. "Alessio?" I called, trying to be heard enough so he'd notice, but not so that I drew too much attention. Of course, that wasn't really a problem, because, after school's dismissed, it's massive chaos on the schoolyard.

"Over here." I soft voice called from the left. "And be quiet."

A hopped over the wooden railing around a patch of grass tucked away in the corner of the schoolyard. Alessio was curled up beside a short, leafy tree, the only noticeable landmark in the tiny field out front.

I grumbled a bit as I knelt down in front of him. "Aren't you worried about being seen? You're kind of out in the open."

Alessio shrugged and shifted position a little. "Not a problem. Anyone else'll forget me as soon as they see me."

I huffed. "Whatever." I was itching to know. "Did you find anything?"

"Well, sort of…"

"And what would be?"

I swear, Alessio was hiding a smile as he responded. "Well, why don't you come and see?" He unfurled his blue-furred formed, and slithered off. I trailed after him a little slower, but as he picked up speed, I had to run to keep up. He darted over sidewalks and across roads with ease. I was pretty sure my mom was not gonna be happy about me not coming straight home after school.

He stopped so abruptly that I nearly tripped over him. As I stumbled and regained my balance, I gave a sweeping glance to the place where we stopped. I hadn't really been paying attention to the surroundings when I was following Alessio.

It realized awkwardly that this was the old alley next to the church downtown. "Um, why are we here?" I inquired. Alessio sighed and pointed upward with his nose.

I glanced up, and recoiled and yelped in surprise as a person unexpectedly landed right in front of me, her red pigtails fluttering as she steadied herself. "That would be why."

The new girl grinned, and grabbed my hand to shake. "Silphy Hinagiku. Nice to meet you!" She told me cheerfully.

"Uh, I'm Bianca." I informed her hesitantly. "And it's, ah, nice to meet you, too." I gave Alessio a confused look. Who was this girl, anyway?

Alessio apparently knew what I was thinking, and piped up to explain. "Anyhow, Silphy here is an… Arcane Wielder." Silphy nodded vigorourly. "And she wants to help."

I just stood there for a second or two, and then worded my thoughts as eloquently as I could. "What?" Alessio chuckled.

"Hey, did you really think that there weren't others out there? Um, as faith would have, it… she's been watching you… for a while now." He continued awkwardly.

I looked at Silphy quizzically. She grinned merrily. "You, my dear, are interesting." She asserted. "And I like observing people! I wan to be a professional sociologist when I'm older, you know."

I nodded numbly. This girl talked a lot, and apparently had been spying on me. But, she didn't seemed that bad…

"A-ha-ha-ha… Look at this. Traitors and enemies all gathered together. I smell a promotion headed my way." I understandably flinched. You'd almost think I'd be used to insane occurrences in my life now, but voices coming out of nowhere without speakers are a bit much.

Ivy, with a brief blue glow, appeared before us, standing lightly on a pole jutting out form one of the buildings on either side, with that same sickening grin. Only, this time, she was hefting a humongous mallet over her shoulder. "Hey, Shortstack. Did you miss me? It's been a little while."

"Not long enough." I spat, and added under my breath, "And who is she calling Shortstack?!"

"Whoa." Silphy observed. "She's ugly."

It's not that I wouldn't agree with her, but that immediately struck me as a poor move. Ivy seemed to agree. Her eyes narrowed angrily and she gripped her hammer's handle tightly. Without warning, she leapt from her perch, barreling through the air, and just barely circumvented hitting Silphy. Man, that girl had fats reflexes. "Who care to repeat that?" Ivy shrieked.

"Ugh, she's kind of touchy, isn't she?" Silphy asked me playfully.

I shrugged my shoulders. "Apparently." I told her.

Silphy turned back to Ivy. "My dear, I said, "She's ugly." As in, you are unattractive." Ivy swung her hammer around again, and Silphy and me dodged quickly, the attack smashing into the ground.

"Y'know, this wouldn't be such a problem is me weren't in such a small space…" I started. However, Ivy raised one hand and fired a jet of water at me, and I whipped out my staff, held it up defensively, and froze the stream in midair. I dropped to the ground and shattered.

"Not bad," Silphy gave me a thumbs-up. I beamed, then made haste and leaped at Ivy, delivering a sharp kick that she narrowly avoided. She retaliated, and swung her hammer at me in a complete circle. I ducked away, but she quickly shot another water attack and knocked me several feet back.

"Oh my." Alessio muttered, watching us have at it.

That was all hell broke loose, in the sense that Silphy decided to step in. In a brilliant golden flash, a long, coiling whip took form in her hand, and she struck out wildly. Ivy ducked and dodged, but Silphy matched her strike for strike, and managed actually to land an attack or two.

I, not being one to sit out during a fight, nimbly bound at Ivy again, whipping my staff across in a dramatic arc, hurling a powerful gust of ice at her. She wobbled, and stumbled backward, grabbing the edge of the building to steady herself. Silphy and I landed softly on the ground and slapped each other a high five.

Ivy's hammer clattered to the ground, and she growled angrily. Silphy raised out hand, electricity crackling around it lightly. Ivy glared, raised one hand, and snapped her fingers sharply.

Well, that was when things got difficult. The wind shifted, and ViVid's unconscious form materialized before her, his wrist held in shackles, dropping roughly to the ground, as Ivy reached out and grasped him in one arm.

"Now then, children." She sneered and gripped ViVid's throat. "Let's not get violent shall we?"

Ivy already had a way of ticking me off – acting wholly superior with that nasty smile of her's – but now my blood was really boiling. My eyes narrowed.

Ivy grinned with an even worse sicky-ness about her, clearly comprehending and enjoying how much she could infuriated me. Alessio slinked up beside me. Ivy tipped her head slightly, and spoke with false kindness. "You're getting in my mistress' way." She reported to us, like I cared, and raised one hand. "Such children should not be trusted with such power. Now, you little ones hand over those Charms nicely, and nothing bad has to happen."

Ivy gazed triumphantly; satisfied she had us backed into a corner. Sure, ViVid could be annoying… but that didn't mean I would possibly condone that something like this.

Alessio peeked up at me, his eyes pleading. I knew just what he meant. I growled at Ivy, and then I sighed. And, slowly, I let me staff ease up from its defensive pose, and it shifted back to its Arcana Charm form. Silphy looked at me, but didn't react much.

I clutched the Magician lightly in my hand, and then gradually held it out. Ivy smirked, but before either of us could do anything else, a low, rumbling humming sound droned through the air.

I blinked and jumped slightly in surprise, and then I realized where the sound was coming from. I glanced down at Alessio in confusion, and then ViVid's Charm, which Alessio had clipped snuggly onto his goggles, pulses and exploded with light. And not just light; the wind suddenly roared and rushed all around us, and the combination of the wind and the glow made me pull me hands it to protectively to cover my eyes.

I couldn't see at all, and the wind even knocked me down to the cobble stone ground. The airstream whipped around for what felt like forever, although, in retrospect, it was probably just a minute.

When the wind started to lighten, I immediately jumped to my feet, something I found still difficult what with the wind and all. I pulled my hands away from my face, and stared on in bewilderment. Ivy was bruised and knocked to the ground by the massive sphere of wind that filled a large part of the alley. Silphy had been pushed down, too, and was clutching the side of the building, with Alessio tightly wrapped around her ankle to keep himself from blowing away.

And, right in the center of the wind sphere and all the bedlam, was ViVid. His handcuffs hand fallen away, and his Arcana Charm, the Lovers, was floating before him. His eyes were still closed, but I don't think he had every struck me as more powerful than he did right now. I called out his name.

It was incredible.

Only one problem; it was also destructive. Chunks of stone from the ground and bricks from the buildings were coming detached, and hurtling through the air. Some got caught in the pull of the rotating ball of wind, while others just smashed into the building walls, or the ground. "VIVID!" I shouted again. He didn't seem to hear. And, slowly, pushing through as hard as I could, I approached. Silphy yelled something I didn't quite catch.

I managed to push through to the sphere, but as soon as I reached out to touch it, her hand recoiled back. I held out the Magician, and let it become my staff. I stood firm and raised by staff out defensively in front of me. I gritted my teeth, and pressed on.

The wind fought against me, but I pushed forward, and broke through finally. I panted and shook, and was surprised how calm the inside of the sphere was. I reached out gently, grasping ViVid's hand. His body was pulsing, and the Lovers glowed brighter. I gently tugged on his hand, and ViVid's eyes burst open, glowing pure white.

I dispelled my staff, and gently pulled him towards me, and held him tightly. The wind roared around me, and I felt both our Charms throbbing with power. But I stood my ground, squeezed my eyes shut, and pressed on against it all.

And suddenly, everything stopped. Everything stood still.

Just like that, the wind orb, the storm, the falling-apart alleyway, everything – completely stopped. ViVid fell limp, the Lovers clattered to the ground, but it seemed to hang in the air for a split second before it touched the dirt and stone.

Ivy sputtered incoherently, and scrambled back in shock. Still trembling, she raised her palm weakly, and the Tower, which had gone back to its Charm form sometime during the mayhem, shot through the air and back to her hand.

Silphy rose, wobbly, to her feet, and Alessio gently uncurled from her leg. She shook her head wearily, and walked over to ViVid and me.

To tell you the truth, I was so relieved and frightened, that I practically forgot that I was hugging ViVid until I felt his breath light on my shoulder. I flinched slightly, opened my eyes, and pulled away. ViVid started to collapse, and I immediately grasped his arm to support him. Silphy grabbed his other arm, and we steadied him gently.

His eyes fluttered open lightly. Alessio shot forward, leaping upon to his arm and slithering up to his shoulders. "V-ViVid!" he sputtered. "Boss, you're not dead!"

ViVid mumbled a little, and then managed a light "Ow."

I tensed up another sound. A light, sarcastic clapping noise. My gaze shot up immediately.

Standing beside a shivering Ivy, another new person, a man about Ivy's age, smiled slightly and applauded. "Very intriguing. And quite impressive." The man began. He had dark eyes that looked black in the watery light in the alley. "You're really something else."

Alessio glared. "What do you people want?" He barked.

The unknown man stopped clapping, and gently reached over to help Ivy to her feet. "Us? Nothing truly. It's is our mistress' wish that we seek to grant." He informed us.

That was four times now that I'd heard mention of this "mistress". Whoever she was, she seemed like bad news incarnate.

"V-vision! Oh, god, you're here! I knew you wouldn't leave me." Ivy sputtered gratefully, leaning on his arm for support.

Vision gazed softly at her. "Of course I wouldn't, Martha." He said, his voice laced with genuine kindness, with was, to say the least, surprising. Then, he turned back to us, and his eyes locked on Alessio. "Mistress hasn't forgotten, defector."

With that, Vision and Ivy dissolved from sight with a dark grey radiance.

(A/N: While writing this, I kept wondering "Is this getting to long?" I guess I decided that it should be long, because… I don't know, I just feel like I've accomplished more when I write longer chapters. And this beats last chapter as the longest I've ever written. I really liked writing the big fight in the alleyway, by the way. It was fun experimenting with the detail and scenario.)