Neclaytia slowly ran a piece of white cloth over her katana's lime blade carefully, measuring the blade's sharpness and weighing the artifact in her hand. She treasured the blade from Kriukis: The God of Smiths as if it were a part of her own body, taking great care of the godly weapon crafted by Kriukis' divine anvil and holy materials that mended and bent the blade into what it was today. After wiping the blade down, she scanned over it while turning its body from the grip, inspecting if the blade had any scratches or spots she hadn't reached with her cloth. The katana, Shingi to Giri, was a gift from Kruikis, which was actually a birthday gift when she turned five. Laima had rejected the gift, but Neclaytia happily accepted it even at a young age and he told her to only use it when she was older. He occasionally visited Laima and asked for tea as they spoke of the other gods and goddesses, basking in the fruits of gossip and drama between the deities. He was a cheerful man with round black glasses and was a dear friend to Neclaytia and Laima. After he had learned of her passion to become a hero, he used his blessed hammer to create a unique blade that could pull out the power within her.

Her search was empty as she searched the blade, for everything was accounted for, and as she plopped back onto her bed after returning the katana to its home, she sighed over the events that occurred earlier in the day. She curled up in her sheets while dressed in the same shirt she had on earlier in the day and plaid pink and black pajama pants, feeling herself become swallowed by the plushy mattress. She was nearing the edge of darkness until an average knock came from her door. She groaned as she returned back to her feet and swayed over to the door, nearly about to fall asleep on her feet. She opened the door and immediately stood dazed with wide eyes from the appearance of her visitor at such a late night, "M-Monaco?!"

"I'm comin' in," he said, inviting himself into her room without her permission. "I have some words to share with you."

She was hesitant to allow him to stay in her room, but ultimately she shut the door and pondered on what he had to say to her, "Make it quick, please."

He sat in the wooden chair that was in front of her desk near the window, "First off, don't ever do what you did today again."

"What are you trying to say?" she narrowed her gaze at him.

"You should not carry the burden of a leader if you cannot lead yourself."

"My leading skills aren't poor. I just have a hard time understand you because you do whatever you want and think less of us. I'm not like you, Monaco."

"This isn't about me," he glared. "I'm sayin' this for your own good. Until you learn what a leader is, stay away from leadin' anyone. You'll only get them killed."

"You missed my whole point," she argued. "It's because of you that I acted the way I did. If I were with someone else more capable at being my partner, I wouldn't have almost died and made a fool of myself. If all you came to do was criticize me and make me try to understand your point of view, you might as well get out my room, or do I need to put you out myself?"

Monaco shot up and the chair he had sat in fell to the floor with a sharp thud, "Who gave you the damn right to judge me?! All of you are the same! Who says I have to be open about myself and a goody-two-shoes like you?! I saved your life today and I get no 'thank you' or 'wow, Monaco, you really aren't that bad'! I hate that you overlook me like some peasant in this jolly family of yours!"

The words stung her heart and she furrowed her brows in confusion, "W-Wait a second, I—"

"No," he snapped. "I refuse to follow someone who is incompetent and lack leader qualities. For as long as I've been with Noblesse, you've always loomed over us like you're some idol or somethin'. You're self-centered, annoying and a world-class brat who believes she has power over anyone as long as yo' lovin' papa can protect you from us sayin' anything. You make me sick."

Neclaytia was taken aback by his fierce words and she clutched the hems of her shirt for support, "Why are you telling me all this? I thought you…"

"I'm tellin' you this because I'm devoting my life towards your mission. I'm willin' to follow you down this path to get rid of the Slavery Order," he admitted, his eyes softening a bit. "This job was given to you for whatever reason. Allegretto won't come clean on who is asking for your help, but it has to be someone of a much higher power than Arbiter Cordova. I want to help in gettin' rid of that ridiculous law; however, I will only stay with Noblesse on this job if you are willin' to change your ways and become something more than you are now. I hate to say this, but you're the leader in this operation. Our lives…are in your hands."

She was quiet for a long moment as she stared into his resolved eyes which burned through her skull and slapped her heart without remorse. Monaco was right in every word. She saw herself as a higher figure than the others because she was a demigod. Her father, Allegretto, was fully human while Laima was a goddess who knew the fate of every being living. As a demigod, she carried some innate ability that separated herself from humanity. She became cocky, stubborn to opposition and a foul leader when no one followed her rule. She became rotten ever since her mother disappeared and a poor child to her father. It all hit her at once, making her legs shake and she forced her back on the wall, "I…I'm sorry. I just wanted to…"

"Become stronger?" he sighed. "Do you see now? This is why I cannot accept you leading Noblesse on this job."

"I just…"

She wrapped her arms around herself and stared bitterly at the floor, "I have to be strong. There's no other path for me if I want to find my mother. I will take on everything in order to find her and bring her back home. I've been stuck on that so much that it started to cloud my mind and harm those around me. I…never meant to alienate you, Monaco, if you can believe that."

He walked up to her and she sunk her back further on the wall as he ended up inches apart from her. He placed his hand on the wall right beside her head to block her escape and lifted her chin with his other hand, staring deeply into her eyes, "You interest me, Neclaytia. There's something special about you, and it amuses me greatly, for in truth, you are a peculiar girl. I saw what you did today and I'm not forgettin' until I figure you out. I'll protect you as long as you continue to amuse me."

His hot breath touched against her lips and his eyes pierced her own, demanding her full attention. No words came in response from her, for she merely ogled his seductive features as animalistic thoughts ran rampart in her mind. It made her blush and bite her lips, forcing down any wicked thoughts she might have had in her first intimate interaction with a male. It was odd to her, for she was thinking of pursuing private matters between her and Monaco, as if she had the same thoughts before. He smiled faintly and leaned closer, but she stopped him by resting her hand on his muscular chest, shaking her head and saying, "I-I don't feel comfortable with this. I don't even know you, Monaco, and I don't believe this is what friends do."

"Who said that I am your friend? If anything, we are still strangers; however, I will surely get to know you more."

"Step away from her, or I will strike you down, dog."

Neclaytia looked over by her window and noticed Nier's violent glare that was directed to his back, "N-Nier?"

Monaco smirked to himself and glanced over his shoulder at the girl, amused by her sudden expression that was very foreign to him, "It seems that your shapeshifting doll can show emotion. Ain't that cute, hm?"

Nier stepped forward with a guiding determination to end his life, but Neclaytia pushed him aside and said, "It's about time you left, Monaco."

He chuckled, but suddenly returned back to his usual lazy expression, "It seems that I've stayed longer than I had originally expected. I'll be goin' now."

Neclaytia watched him open her door, but he suddenly snapped his eyes over his shoulder and stared silently at her for a small moment, speaking again before leaving, "You will amuse me later."

Nier fumed rashly and was planning to go after him, but Neclaytia blocked her path and pulled her into her embrace, "It's alright, Nier. Be calm."

"Why was he here, master?" she demanded an answer. "Was he trying to assault you? Are you okay?"

Neclaytia laughed off her questions and rubbed her head as she pulled back a little, "I invited him in. He wanted to talk, so we talked."

"Y-You should be more careful, master!" Nier stressed as her usual distant eyes carried an edge of worry and confusion. "We know nothing about him! He could be dangerous to your health a-and a backstabber!"

Neclaytia unexpectantly pulled the girl down onto her bed and played with the strands of her hair, "If anything like that happens, you'll be there for me, correct?"

"I will always be there!"

"Then I have nothing to worry about," Neclaytia relaxed her lips into a calming smile. "Could I ask you something, Nier?"

"You can ask me anything, master," she nodded to her, relieved by the close distance between them.

"Do you think…I could become a leader someday?"

"Yes," her friend said without hesitation. "I would never lie to you, master. You're very special and I believe with time, you'll grow into one spectacular leader. A leader that her subordinates will look toward for inspiration and hope. I will follow you wherever you go and use my body and soul to benefit only you. You are the only thing I live for."

Neclaytia blushed and felt her insides burn from her steadfast words, relishing in the midst of a dear friend she's known ever since she turned six, "Thank you, Nier. You always say the right words."

Her features hardened, "Did he say something about you leading us?"

"He did," she sighed and stretched out a little in her sheets, but stuck close to Nier and continued to run her fingers through her hair. "What he said made me question how I've been treating you and the others, including papa. I'm sorry if I've ever said anything harsh or demanded too much from you, Nier. Lately, I've been caught up with myself that I forgot the hearts of those around me."

"Master, I'm not offended by what you say or do. I understand that you are growing into the role of a leader and I will watch over your progress and fully support you. Everyone has their own opinion I'm sure and as much as I hate Monaco, his opinion will help shape you as our leader. Just don't let yourself be consumed by burdens. We're here for you, or at least, Allegretto and I are here for you."

"Your words calm me, Nier," she closed her eyes and took a deep breath before smiling sleepily at her. "I can't thank you enough."

Nier moved closer to Neclaytia and wrapped her arms around the aspiring leader while her nostrils became invaded by the sweet aroma of apples coming from her long hair, "This is the only way I can repent for what I did in the past and thank you for the life you've given me. I will stay by your side for an eternity, Neclaytia."

The chief's son of Lema, Farris, stood silently over the undefined statue of Žemyna that lay quietly as a pile of rocks. He pulled away his round glasses from its shelter on the bridge of his nose and speculated over the events that transpired earlier in the day. He wasn't pleased with the appearance of Noblesse, but was strangely amused by their persistent undirected attacks towards his experiments over the kingdom of Orsha. They eliminated every BOSS he toyed with and foiled his plans without knowing of their true harm. He couldn't help but smirk, which was perceived to be a nasty sneer from the moon's light glowing over him. He covered his mouth to settle his inhuman habit that was slowly arising and gave attention to the shadow stretching from his blindside. He turned and saw Alfonse standing not too far from him with a casual smirk plastered onto his face, "How did the experiment go?"

"A success," Alfonse tipped his hat. "I must say, you are really elegant in what you do, sir. Such beauty can manifest from your fruitful abilities."

"You flatter me, Alfonse," the boy responded. "Turning into a complete replica of the chief's son is child's play."

Alfonse's smile stretched, "What of the boy?"

"I killed him myself."

"You indeed are a savage, sir."

"There is no soul in the hearts of these humans, you know this, Alfonse."

The boy turned on his heel and proceeded to spin; however in a split second, the former boy transformed into a handsome man with long, messy unpigmented hair which stopped past his shoulder and snuck down the back of his brown double breasted waistcoat while two strands rested past the front of his broad shoulders. He had a plain smile on his tanned skinned face as he fixed his thin black tie to a suitable spot and brushed the sleeves of his white button down shirt with the back of his hands. He glanced at Alfonse and spoke elaborately as his lavender colored eyes glowed faintly, "The humans of this world have long passed and are simply creations of our so-called gods and goddesses. I owe this world no quarter of affection and surely its people deserve to be released from this dream world they live in. Don't you agree, Alfonse Lotus?"

"I agree wholeheartedly, sir, but I believe there are some among our ranks who seek to murder out of passion rather than by reserved choice," Alfonse said thoughtfully while holding his chin with his gloved hand.

"Yes, that's absolutely true," the man nodded and crossed his muscular arms over his chest. "However, they will follow our message and carry out their mission without fail. I can assure you of this, for with time, we'll destroy the world and its inhabitants by nature."

"Ah, such cruel truth of the matter and yet it seems painfully natural to destroy," Alfonse seemed troubled, but brushed aside his worry. "Hopefully, this all leads to some suitable merit. The stage is slowly being set and those foolish revelators whom have been trailing us will surely get consumed by the crowd at the beginning of our play. I feel almost sorry for them. If only their little minds could understand the reality of this world…just maybe they could become our allies."

"It is impossible, Alfonse," the man stuck his hands into the pockets of his tight brown slacks and stared up at the night sky. "There will always be conflict between us, for we were the chosen revelators to lead the rest of the pack while the others were doomed to live a false life. There will always be opposites of something greater."

Alfonse took heed to his words and smirked, "Very astounding words you preach, Arbiter Cordova. I'm looking forward to see how far Ringo can take us."

Arbiter stared at Alfonse as darkness swarmed over his features and presented a good portion of his face as a splotch of evil, but twisted with good from the glowing light of the moon that bathed him in its pure light, "We will push forward until everything in this world is erased from time and space. I can promise you that is what Ringo is after."