Happy New Year everyone!

I think it's a bit late for that, but who cares! I want to wish you all the best this year, may your dreams be fulfilled and happiness fall upon you! And more Huntik awesomeness for us all :D And thank you all for the Christmas wishes!

This part was was a real challenge for me. I know how many emotions it arises in every DXZ fan... It's one of the most important episodes for their relationship's development. The bigger the goal is, the more I get worried about the results of my effort... Think what I will go through before ep. 17 ^^

It was to supposed to be fairly long. However, I decided to split it into two separate chapters. That way, I could upload the first one today. If I didn't do that, you'd have to wait much longer for the whole thing. It's going to take some time to write it properly.

I hope you will like the first part... I'm worried that I didn't do as much as I could. But maybe I just exaggerate things. It's hard to be a perfectionist.

The title certainly sounds lame, though. I meant that in this chapter, the ones who were predators now turn out to be the prey. Like, for example, Dante. And Sandra Lambert - a Seeker before and now someone Lok is worried about. And... Zhalia. As you will see, our femme fatale isn't as tough and well-prepared for the mission as she would like to...

Reviews, appear!:
- Joey8: Hum, I was also a bit surprised when Zhalia reacted so emphatically in the episode. However, I thought: 'Why won't make a use of it?', and so I bothered Dante a bit by his doubts about her. I guess they start to torment him and that's because he cares of her more and more every day, without even realizing his feelings towards her. After all, he's a man. Men are strange when it comes to emotions. And even worse when it comes to understanding women, especially as twisted as Zhalia :)

- Kimberly: Oh, don't worry! I'm sure you'll pass the exam! We all know what a nightmare Chemistry is. No one has a feeling that they understand it, but sometimes they get lucky without even knowing it. I'll keep my fingers crossed for your test! Write me when the results come out.
We have so much in common! I also enjoy Skillet, Nickelback and Linkin Park a lot. Recently, I'm obssessed with 'Castle of Glass'. I've thought about making a video for 'If Everyone Cared', maybe I'll give it a try. My other favourite bands are Daughtry, Lovers&Liars, Train, Breaking Benjamin, SOAD, 3 Doors Down, SafetySuit, Roxette... oh, that's just a part of the looong list.
Well, to answer your question: I have many flaws ^^ I'm a poor painter, singer and dancer, I can't swim nor whistle, I'm an anime freak and a total klutz, my handwriting is a mess, and History is like an alien invention for me!

- Jess: it's not that I don't want to read it... I'd love to, someday :) But when I have so little time, I'd rather spend it on writing than reading.
Hahaha, Zhalia has a dirty mind ^^ I wanted to show that she doesn't detest Dante's physical appearance anymore. And admires it more and more in silence... though she quickly brushes it off with her sharp tongue. I guess that making her too polite would be unbelievable. She's rather harsh towards the others, why would she make an exceptance for Dante? After all, for some time she regards him as another fool she has to deal with. Put-downs aren't bad even during their increasing closeness. You know, I strongly believe that funny put-downs are a good way to show affections to the people I like :) It's like that in my house. I have a funny family and we are proud of our speech fights and discussions :)

I'll think about moving the videos to tumblr, that way they'll be available.

Don't know what to add. I'm so afraid of the reviews! nervous I'm running away now, in case you don't like the chapter!

See you soon!

Sha

12th July 2009, Sunday, 12:15

Dante's house

Cannareggio

Venice, Italy

'Oh maaaan, finally', Lok plodded through the open door with his hand reached out to the sofa, like a castaway who had noticed a ship on the horizon. He left his bag in the hall and flung himself onto the couch in a disorderly jump, sinking his head into the pillows. 'All I dream of is a long nap. Sleeping in those rough beds on the boat was a pain…'

'Even worse than fighting the Organization?', Dante teased him, entering the room and placing his backpack under the wall neatly. He wasn't going to unpack it; he had a hunch that they wouldn't have a long break before the next mission. He sat in his favorite armchair next to the window and leaned his head on the headrest.

'Don't remind me!', Lok stuck out the beige mass of cushions too abruptly; he moaned and quickly started to massage the back of his neck. 'Then, all of my muscles hadn't been itching yet…', he complained, 'and now I'm almost sure that I've got muscle soreness…', he mumbled, hitting the pillow with his forehead again.

Dante smirked with amusement, but held back a remark that real missions needed some more physical preparation than pushing the buttons on the joystick.

'Some exercise wouldn't hurt you', he stated, placing both arms on the bolsters in a relaxed manner. 'I'll try to train you in my spare time.'

'Really?!', Lok's head jerked up again and mysteriously, this time the boy forgot completely about his stiff neck. 'You'll be teaching me?!'

Dante nodded; he hadn't really thought of any other ways to organize their time together as Lok was going to stay here for a while. The Suits were still keeping an eye on both newly-discovered young Seekers. Sophie was already protected by her butler, LeBlanche, and bodyguard, Santiago, so Dante was confident about her well-being. He had tried to convince her carers to take an additional charge under their wings, but both of them had opposed against it strictly; Dante guessed that it had something to do with their suspicions that Lok fancied the red-headed Casterwill girl and letting him be so close to her would encourage him to do something improper. However, leaving him in the dorm, alone and exposed to assaults, and additionally, endangering his school colleagues (not much due to the holiday, but still) by the Organization's operatives massive attacks hadn't sounded like a good idea even for Sophie's guardians. So, it had been decided that the boy would move to Dante's. Vale wasn't exactly against having guests, but he had wondered if he would treat his young fellow right. He wasn't used to talking with teenagers, their tastes and interests seemed like a complete magic for him. Sometimes he felt like a crumbly among them. Well, maybe because he had always been taken as older than he was, due to his calm, collected demeanor. And that sometimes he felt a bit out of place – as if his way of living didn't suit those times of treachery and calculation, making his beliefs outdated.

His fears was exaggerated. Lok seemed on cloud nine, his face beamed in admiration and amazement when he observed his teacher in disbelief.

'Will you show me those moves, you know, Tyson style?!', he jerked up from the sofa, as if he had never been sulking due to pains in his limbs, and started to box the air. Dante barely held back a laughter; he was sure that he himself didn't look like a prancing chicken doing so. 'It'd be awesome! Maybe I'd finally manage to beat some Suits… and don't suffer right after', he added, hissing when after a spectacular (in his opinion) blow, his shoulder started to ache.

'I can assure that after my training, you'll suffer even more', Vale chuckled quietly, observing the eager sparks in the boy's eyes with a pleasant surprise. 'At least in the beginning.'

'Uh…', the boy's enthusiasm subsided a bit, Lok slumped onto his seat again. 'Well, I guess it's worth it…', he peeked jealously at his mentor's muscles, visible even despite the cloak still covering the man's back and shoulders.

'It is. It can save your life someday…', Dante assured him, pretending not to notice that he was being looked up and down. 'And you will be able to take care of yourself every day, no matter what happens.'

The boy twitched; then he turned his face aside and fell silent for a moment.

'Yeah, I know', he mumbled eventually with a surprising sadness. 'It's troublesome to babysit me, isn't it?'

Dante eyed him carefully. The boy lost everything of his earlier cheerfulness. He leaned his elbows on his knees and lowered his head, observing his fidgeting fingers.

'I didn't say anything like that', the man remarked.

'But I know you think so', Lambert shook his head sorrowfully. 'Everyone does… I feel like a failure. I always mess everything up, even if I do my best…', he added in a regretful whisper.

Vale didn't really know what to say. Lok surprised him with his sudden honesty. However, he sensed it coming, somehow. He knew exactly how the boy felt now, after realizing his hidden powers. After all, Dante had also been there before, even younger than Lambert was now. It also started in June, though… He called back a certain rainy day when he had just been staring at his hands, not believing what they had been able to do, puzzled, shocked, scared of himself, afraid that he had turned into a monster, and so on… So many doubts and unknowns… If there hadn't been someone who had helped him come to terms with it, he would have lost his mind. Lok needed support more than any time in his life before.

'You shouldn't see yourself this way', he spoke in a collected, soothing manner. 'Really, Lok. You do really well for a boy whose world has just turned upside down. Working under such pressure is always harder, but you manage to keep holding on somehow. Many Seekers would love to handle their beginnings as well as you do. You make mistakes, no one can deny it, but at least you learn something from them. So be proud of yourself, as the true victory is not in constant winning, but in not giving up', he repeated a quote he had heard somewhere before to finish his speech and put even more power and confidence into it.

Lok didn't say anything for a while. Then he raised his stare at Dante and seeing his serious yet considerate face, he smiled lightly.

'Thanks', he murmured, embarrassed yet comforted. 'I really want to be a good Seeker, to stand up to my Dad's reputation…'

Dante nodded with understanding and intended to say that every boy needed his superhero to look up to, but suddenly, Lok's phone beeped. The boy raised his eyebrows in surprise and took it out, then looked at the flashing screen.

'Oh no…', he moaned, his face fell again. 'It's Mom…'

'What's up, Lok?', Dante asked, getting curious. 'Is something wrong between you and your mother?'

'No, that's not it… ', the boy rolled his cell in his hand, but didn't answer it, letting it ring louder and louder. 'My Mom is awesome, she's extra-understanding and loving, but…', he hesitated, saddening again, 'I guess I wasn't as a great son recently. I… I lied to her', he confessed shamefully, a pink blush appeared on his cheeks. 'She asked when I'd come back home for holiday. I couldn't tell her that I'm busy fighting some crazy suited jerks and frightening monsters… so I told her that I've got a lot of homework for summer, a big group project or something, so I can't leave my pals alone with it, and I'll come back as soon as I finish it', he was getting more and more red every second, then he sighed and made a long face. 'I feel so bad lying to her…'

'I think you should be sincere with her, Lok', Dante interrupted him gently. 'There's no point in lying to your family. Lies only create distance between people.'

'But I can't scare her like that!', Lok protested, trying to justify his fault. 'She doesn't need new reasons to be nervous! She's already been through a lot when… when Dad…', he uttered, not knowing how to call Eathon's disappearance.

'You're not protecting her that way', Dante rested his case. 'I'm sorry to say it, but you made her worry even more now. A summer project… What an idea?', he shook his head. 'I've known you only for a month and I can easily tell you're not a weenie. You wouldn't skip a break for studying. Your mother knows it even better than me. She's wondering for sure why you changed your plans all of the sudden.'

Lok sighed heavily, lowering his head again and covering his face with his hands.

'So I'm a failure after all. See? I can't even protect my own mother…'

The cell rang few times more; when Lok couldn't handle it anymore and turned it off, the room filled with an awkward silence. Dante couldn't find any good advice for this situation, even if he desperately tried to. However, he hoped that it would solve in no time. He just felt it.

They both twitched when the diode next to the LCD screen started to flash. They exchanged a questioning stare, then Dante stood up and approached the device, pressing a certain button. The display blurred for a moment; they waited in suspense, though they guessed that it was Guggenheim who was trying to contact them. So, their surprise was even bigger when after the screen cleared, they saw a completely different person

'Mom?!', Lok uttered, dumbstruck.

Dante, though almost as stunned, couldn't fight a certain curiosity, normal for a private eye. He tried not to stare too importunately at the neat, middle-aged woman with a low ponytail and oval glasses, with a part of her purple shirt and pinkish sweater visible. However, he noticed that Lok had taken much after her, for example his blonde hair, blue eyes and light skin tone. Mrs. Lambert could have been considered attractive if not her worried expression, underlining two wrinkles on both sides of her lips and a crease through her forehead.

'Lok, sweetheart!', she cried out, looking worriedly at her son. 'I thought I wouldn't contact you in ages! I called you, but you didn't answer, and when your phone stopped being available, I…'

'Mom, how did you… how did you find me?!', Lok threw in shock. 'I mean… How did you know that I… that I'm not at my dorm? And… how on earth did you get this number?!', he couldn't get it.

Mrs. Lambert looked at her son with so much pain in her eyes that Dante felt impelled to help her answer to that question.

'Lok, listen…', he started, but suddenly the woman interrupted him kindly yet firmly:

'It's fine, Dante, dear. I can do it myself.'

'What?!', Lok's jaw dropped. 'Do you know each other?'

Dante and Mrs. Lambert exchanged cautious yet polite stares. Vale couldn't find any detail of this face familiar, even despite its similarity to Lok's, but…

'You can say so', he nodded. 'Although we haven't met before, we… we are a part of the same team.'

'Lok', Mrs. Lambert cut in desperately, 'I'm a Seeker.'

A short thud broke the sudden silence that fell into the room; it was Lok's cell which got knocked off his knees when the boy suddenly jerked up, staring at his mother's image with his eyes and mouth wide open. Dante thought that it was the right time for him to go and leave the Lamberts alone; it was a family matter and he was just a stranger disturbing them. He started to back to the kitchen. Any of the two didn't seem to mind it; they both fixed their eyes on each other. Then Lok caught Dante's withdrawal with a corner of his eye and turned to his mentor abruptly.

'You knew all the way?', he asked in a serious voice.

His stare pierced Dante to the floor; he stopped halfway.

'I discovered it just few days ago', he admitted; there was no point in lying, since the secret had gotten revealed. 'I heard about your father's wedding before, but I wasn't aware that he married a fellow Seeker.'

'I saw Dante on the pictures from Eathon's past, but we never happened to meet each other', Mrs. Lambert added to explain their complicated acquaintance. 'However, when his name became famous, I recalled…'

'And you didn't tell me?!', Lok didn't pay attention to that detail, still piercing his teacher with his glare. 'How could you pass over it knowing that I was so worried about being dishonest towards my mother?! After all those pretty words about truthfulness!'

'Lok, please, don't blame him…', Mrs. Lambert said, looking at Dante apologetically, but he responded on his own:

'It was just a feeling that your mother had to have a good reason to stay silent about it.'

'So, you, Mom!', the boy turned to her quickly. 'Why didn't you tell me earlier?', he asked desperately. 'Why did you hide it from me?!'

'I didn't want you and your sister to get involved', she explained worriedly, trying to subdue her son's emotions. 'I thought I'd be able to keep you away from the dangers of this life, from the Organization, violent Titans and deadly riddles. But then you delayed your return from the school, and I got suspicious… You've never really been into school and studying', she said, and Lok grimaced, calling back Dante's anticipations about his mother's reaction to his lie. 'I had a bad feeling… so I contacted Guggenheim. It was just an idea… During our friendly talk about old days, he happened to congratulate me on your last achievements. Then I got the whole story out of him. When he realized I didn't know anything about it, he did everything I asked for to make up for his mistake. Even giving me Dante's home number.'

She stopped for a moment, then added in a sadder voice:

'He thought my son had informed me about everything.'

Now it was Lok who seemed uneasy.

'I'm sorry, Mom', he mumbled. 'I… I thought you didn't know about Seekers… that if you stayed unaware, the Suits wouldn't get interested in you and Cath…'

'So, you understand me now', his mother said quietly. 'I had no choice but to hide the truth from you. Especially after what happened to your father…'

The tears in her eyes glistened as strongly as her pearl earrings. Mrs. Lambert raised her glasses, drying her eyes with her sleeve.

'I really believed I could save you from his fate… but it caught you anyway when I least expected it…', her voice was shaking.

'Mom…', Lok whispered anxiously, reaching his hand out to the screen, as if he had intended to wipe the droplets away from his mother's displayed face. When he realized what he had been about to do, he just froze with his arm up, puzzled and confused. This gesture was so intimate that Dante felt like an intruder. He continued his escape and finally managed to hide in the kitchen. Then, he started to look through the window, just to keep his mind occupied. However, no matter how he tried to focus on something else, for example on his neighbor working in his garden, he still heard the voices from the living room.

'Please, Mom. It will be fine. We will manage, we always do, right?'

'Yes, yes, baby. You're right. We just have to stick together. So… come home, will you? We miss you, me and Cathy.'

'I will. I promise. This week.' Lok broke the talk for a moment, then he added with hesitation: 'But, Mom, I've got a favor to ask from you…'

Dante could bet that Sandra Lambert smiled gently when she interrupted him:

'Of course, honey. Bring your… 'summer project colleagues' with you.'

13th July 2009, Monday, 17:13

County Kerry

Ireland

'Just up ahead, guys!', Lok points at the hill in front of us; there's an unclear building silhouette on the top of the rise, which is supposed to be the Lambert family's house.

'Wow, I never knew grass could be so green!', Sophie looks around in amazement, raving over the vast areas of emerald patched by golden-colored fields and crossed by white-sanded paths shaded by clumps of oaks. No sign of bigger human creations…

'Certainly it's rural…', I murmur spitefully, pursing my lips. When Lok invited us to his house for a little break, I expected something more than spending the whole day far away from the advantages of technology...

'Yap', the boy doesn't sense the irony in my voice and takes my remark as a face value. 'Mom's family is from this part of Ireland, so she decided to raise us here', he informs us. Sorry, pal, I'm not here to learn about your origins and stuff… I just took an offer to visit Ireland without paying for the hotel in some famous city. And I don't know if I won't regret my parsimony. What am I going to do HERE?! Search for four-leaved clover on those meadows?!

'Talk about your idyllic childhood!', Sophie teases her peer; she seems to like the perspective of spending a whole week away from city noise.

'This far from civilization, I can fly around in the open!', Cherit joins her enthusiastically, twirling in the air gracefully like a dandelion's seed.

'Man, how I've been looking forward to this!', Lok throws his hands in the air. 'All week of nothing but sleeping long, goofing off…', he enumerates with delight. 'And Mom's apple pie!', he reminds himself of another advantage of the Irish vacation.

'How ever did I make it this long…', I roll my eyes, sick of their raptures, but can't hold back a smile when I call back certain memory from two weeks before. One guy even managed to convince me to taste the Vienna cheesecake. Maybe I will give the pie a chance too?

Cherit breaks the dream-like atmosphere.

'Looks like it's beginning to rain, I'm afraid', he notices, peeking at the droplets wetting his fur.

Dante, who has been silent since we arrived, even after Lok mentioned the home-made pie, wakes up from his thoughtfulness and looks at the darkening sky.

'Cherit's right, storm's coming', he admits, observing the thick clouds. 'We'll better hurry.'

The same day, 17:44

The Lamberts' house

County Kerry

Ireland

'Here we are', Lok announces when we walk a tidy path which looks as if it was swept just few minutes earlier from leaves and pebbles. It leads to a one-storied brick house with a roof made of dark tiles, surrounded by a trim lawn and few chestnut trees flowing gently in the growing wind.

'It's just like in some fairytale!', Sophie compliments the view.

'Yeah', I smirk. 'I almost expect a leprechaun jumping out in front of us…'

'I don't know about leprechauns, but there's at least one fairy', Lok smiles warmly, taking a deep breath and smelling something nice, 'who conjured up some delicious dinner for us… Come on, let's get in!', he hurries us up.

He steps onto the small veranda and knocks to the glazed door. We stay behind, waiting for him to announce our arrival. After all, it's his territory and we're just strangers who were allowed to cross its borders. Otherwise I wouldn't be so willing to accept his leadership.

We hear somebody storming through the hall; then, a woman's face appears in the pane and the door open wide.

'Lok!', a blonde woman beams seeing the boy. 'Look at you!', she kisses his cheek and embraces him tightly. 'You've gotten taller!'

'Oh, I can't get any shorter', Lok jokes, parting and looking at her from an arm-long distance. 'You look great!'

I must admit he's right. I didn't expect Lok to have such a chick as his mother! Though she seems in her mid or late forties, she keeps shape like a twenty-years-old, her hair are still clearly fair, without gray threads, and her blue eyes glisten with youth, despite being surrounded by small wrinkles, just like her lips. Additionally, she doesn't look like a yokel. She put on simple yet suitable clothes, and – as I notice – she wears jeans, just like me! Not too skinny, but not too loose as well, they accentuate her great silhouette and give her attire a sporty charm. It looks so natural, better than dressing up elegantly just for guests. So far, I am pleasantly surprised.

'Oh gosh, I've been cooking all day!', she wipes an invisible speck of dust off her trousers and brushes a small strand behind her ear, combing her hair with her fingers. 'I'm a mess!'

Lok just smiles leniently at that slight sign of women's exaggerated fears of their looks.

'Mom, these are my friends', he shows her the rest of us. 'Sophie', he nods to the girl who waves shyly at his mom.

'It's a pleasure to meet you', she curtsies politely.

'Zhalia', he introduces me.

'Hello', I nod to Mrs. Lambert; I guess that complimenting her taste in trousers would be too much for such an early acquaintance.

'And this is Dante', Lok continues the introduction.

'Thanks for having us', Dante feels impelled to show gratefulness for her generosity. Huh, he never forgets such details. No surprise Mrs. Lambert gives him a warm smile and waves her hand as if she wanted to say: 'You're welcome'. So, he's already bought her with his good manners.

Suddenly Cherit clears his throat above our heads, putting his hands akimbo and eyeing Lok meaningfully.

'Oh, and this is Cherit', the boy quickly fixes his mistake.

The gargoyle lightens up and bows with courtesy.

'The pleasure is mine, my lady!'

'I'm glad to meet you all', Mrs. Lambert smiles to all of us. 'Please, step inside, everything is prepared for your stay.'

We all accept the invitation, a bit tired after the trip here. I examine the interior as we enter a place serving as diving and living room at the same time, with stairs leading up, a table located in the center and sofa and armchairs surrounding the fireplace. An average house, full of old yet clean and noble furniture, vacuumed carpets and simple paintings, just like in some soap opera about ideal family life. Well, it would look like that if not a mass of foreign souvenirs located all around the house: ritual masks hanging on the walls, statues standing on the drawers and lots, lots of books placed in rows on the shelves, some of them seeming really ancient. What a crazy mix, like in some provincial museum… But Lok's eyes spark with admiration.

'It's good to be home', he states joyfully, looking around while we all are leaving our luggage on the floor. 'Where's Cathy?'

'Your sister is off at her summer classes', Mrs. Lambert explains. And that way our meeting with the last member of the family is delaying. 'Oh, but you all must be starving', the woman realizes. 'I'll whip up some sandwiches', she says and before anyone manages to stop her, she disappears in the kitchen.

'Your mother is quite the hostess, Lok', Cherit comments while the rest of us, encouraged by the householder, take seats. I slump onto the green couch with wicker backrest. Oh my, that's just what I need now. My feet are burning. How was I supposed to know that we wouldn't have a chance to go here by bus?! If I knew, I'd have put on more comfortable shoes. Or think about buying a helicopter.

'Mom hasn't always been a housewife, you know', Lok tells us. Oh, I notice that one of the teammates isn't as tired as everyone else. Of course, for Mr. Vale, it was just a warm-up. But you know, pal, it is considered rude to ferret around somebody's house, even if you just want to check out the books, so better sit on your butt and at least listen to the chatter, if you are going to stay silent, like the whole day.

'That's right, she was a member of the Huntik Foundation, wasn't she?', Sophie continues the topic. Well, things are getting interesting… It explains why Mrs. Lambert didn't drop dead seeing Cherit.

'Yeah, I just found up myself when she invited us up', Lok confirms. 'I wasn't exactly in all of this before…'

I fall into my thoughts. So, Lok took his abilities after both parents, not only one? I haven't thought about it earlier, but when I wonder about it now, it makes sense. Starting a family with lies about his abilities and affiliation to Huntik would be difficult for Eathon, but since his other half was also a Seeker, it made many things easier, as she knew it inside out. And it increased the possibility to pass the power to the children…

How does it work? Where those skills come from? Do we take them after our ancestors, like, for example, eye color, or we are chosen as Seekers regardless of our origin and blood? Were my parents Seekers as well? Had my power been sleeping in my body cells since birth, like a cancer predisposition? Or maybe certain conditions awake it and I fulfilled them unintentionally?

There's no point in such thoughts. I'd rather never learn it. And that knowledge wouldn't change anything, neither my past nor the present. I'm a Seeker; it's not a fever which can be cured.

I shake my head lightly and raise it. I notice that while I was deep into my thoughts, Dante managed to sneak out the room, leaving me with the youngsters. Well, well, is he going to charm even Lok's mother with his male pheromones?

I ironize, but I sense that it's a different matter. Dante wasn't very talkative the whole day. I guess he has something on his mind… Something's bothering him.

But why his strange behavior's disturbing me as well?

The same day, 17:54

The Lamberts' house

County Kerry

Ireland

Dante hesitated at the kitchen's doorstep, observing Lok's mother's organized, purposeful moves. She was preparing the meal quickly, yet with great efficiency gained after all the years of keeping the household. Knowing Lok's appetite, she couldn't slack off during cooking not to hear his whining about being hungry. However, she didn't seem to mind it, as well as having additional people to take care of now. Treating such a group wasn't an easy task, though.

'Thought you might like some help', Dante said.

She turned to him, stopping with the teakettle above one cup.

'I would', she responded with surprise yet gratefulness.

'Allow me', he proposed.

The woman nodded and continued her job, giving Dante a free hand. He approached the table and started to help with making the sandwiches. Many people considered men in kitchen ridiculous, but for a bachelor used to taking care of himself, it was a normal thing. Mrs. Lambert didn't seem to mind as well. Dante observed her askance. How calm that woman was! She had just learned about her son being exposed to dangers she had been experiencing in her life as well, yet she managed to remain cheerful in front of her guests, as if nothing had happened, as if there hadn't been that scene with tears rolling down her cheeks… Vale felt his heart melting again when he recalled it. And again, guilt strangled him.

He quickly scolded himself. That woman was so brave, showing them a happy face, and he wouldn't be courageous enough to talk with her about his doubts?! No way. However, the worst problem was, he didn't know where to begin.

'Mrs. Lambert, do you mind if I ask you something?', he finally decided to start simply.

'Not at all, dear', she responded kindly. She didn't seem to harbor any unfriendly feelings towards him, but… Dante hesitated before asking:

'How do you really feel about Lok becoming a part of the Huntik Foundation?'

Mrs. Lambert kept a straight face, but she couldn't deceive Dante; he noticed how her hand had shaken. She had to put the kettle onto the table not to drop it. She didn't respond for a moment, wondering about his question.

'Well', she said eventually, weighing her words, 'I coshed anyone against making that choice', she admitted frankly. 'I know how difficult a life it can be. And how dangerous', she added seriously, her voice lowering to a whisper, 'especially after his father Eathon's… disappearance.'

She made eye contact with Dante through the steam of the hot tea, checking if he was getting her words right. He was. He understood them even too clearly. If he had to count the times when he had been close to death, he wouldn't handle it. Twice a week? No, more… How many it'd be in a year? And given that he had been an active Seeker since twelve…

No, that was too much for any normal person. Especially for a young boy used to danger only during school tests and adventure games…

'And Lok…', he tried to share his fears with Mrs. Lambert, but cut short. He didn't know how to put his observations about Lok's hardships into proper words. Offending the boy before his mother wasn't the best idea, he had to be gentle.

She didn't give him enough time to think about it.

'Lok's always been a good boy', she interrupted him quickly, 'a smart boy, like his father. He has to do what he has to do', she assured him firmly, staring at him with her clear, bright eyes, so much alike her son's, only shining with wisdom of an experienced woman.

Dante felt uneasy under their gaze. He turned aside, sinking into his thoughts. He believed in Lok as well, after all, Vale didn't lie comforting him after the yesterday breakdown. The boy was well-intentioned about discovering the Seeker world, he had potential to do so, but was there a point in it? Was it really a good thing to throw him into the lion's den just because he wanted? Wouldn't it be more right to keep him away from it? Dante didn't try to stand in his way to achieve his dreams, but he also wouldn't like to see him getting hurt.

'Dante…', Mrs. Lambert's hesitating voice interrupted his wondering.

He turned to her and met her worried gaze. It hit the softest spot in his heart due to the great anxiety shown in her wide pupils.

'Please, take care of him', she asked beggingly.

How could he refuse, noticing how every muscle of the woman's body tensed in fear of the future, concern for her child following in his father's footsteps, and dread of the next tragic final of that journey?

Dante nodded firmly. He would. He was going to prepare Lok for the Seeker's life as well as he could! He wouldn't let him share his father's fate. At any cost.

The same day, 20:24

The Lamberts' house

County Kerry

Ireland

'…the TV program host asked the kids how many rods they could see on the screen. Suddenly, Lok burst into tears and ran to me screaming. I asked what was going on, and then he said… that a stranger from the TV had accosted him!', Mrs. Lambert gave the punch line.

Ah, what a fascinating way to spend the evening… Listening to the stories about Lok's first teeth, steps and smile, discovering his childhood adventures and pretending to be amused by his famous silly quotes. If I knew that it'd be the prize for staying at the Lamberts', I'd rather be still paying for my hotel room in Venice, thanks! I'm not really into all those 'family moments' stuff…

However, some people seem to enjoy this blabbering.

'I bet you were adorable!', Sophie laughs heartily, observing her embarrassed pal, eyed lovingly by his mother raveling over his past cuteness. That's one of a few things I don't miss about family: making you look like a fool in front of your acquaintances.

'OK, Mom…', Lok murmurs, staring aside. 'I bet they've heard enough about me…'

'Oh, I was going to tell them about you and Scarlet next!', Mrs. Lambert says with disappointment, touching his hand.

'No, mom, please…', Lambert moans, facepalming. Yeah, boy, I sympathize with you and share your pain. I'm already fed up of those stories. I won't handle another stream of this shit.

I'm about to switch off when suddenly Dante stops sipping his tea.

'Scarlet Byrne?', he repeats in a curious, interested tone.

I peek at him suspiciously, surprised by his sudden wake. He's not been the life and soul of the party today, occupied by his secret wonders. He barely participated in the chatter, sometimes threw in a sentence or two, but generally stayed silent and listened to the talk. But now… there's a spark in his eyes which makes them exceptionally bright.

'Who's Scarlet Byrne?', Sophie asks, a bit puzzled.

'A Huntik Foundation operative. She's good', he adds admiringly with a strange smile dancing on his lips. It makes me get cautious and pay more attention to the talk. I eye Dante strongly, trying to make him catch my glare and give me some explanations. I have my reasons to be so curious. Mr. Vale attracts many women's (and even female Titans') attention, however, he has never seemed to reciprocate those feelings (you know, I only teased him about Medea; he turned out to be more interested in the herbs than her transparent outfit). What was so special about that Scarlet Byrne chick that it shook off even Mr. Vale's stoic cover?

'Long before that, she was Lok's babysitter', Mrs. Lambert carries on the explanation. 'He had such a crush on her!', she looks at her son with adoration; however, he doesn't seem happy about it.

'Thanks, Mom…', he mumbles, turning a bit red. Blondes always have a problem with that – their blushes show their emotions too clearly.

'That's so sweet!', Sophie giggles, finding his embarrassment amusing.

'Lok has good taste', Dante comments, putting his cup onto the table. 'She's very pretty', he adds in passing, leaning on the backrest comfortably.

That statement causes me to bristle a bit.

'Well, sounds like Scarlet Byrne has all the boys under her spell…', I remark scornfully, raising my cup to my mouth; however, I change my mind in the last moment. Of course, what else could it be? Her looks, no surprise here. Those boys are so simple. But what do I expect from creatures who enjoy skimming through porn magazines full of banal bleached blondes with inflated tits, pumped-up lips and fake tans, all of them as plastic as their artificial nails? I smirk with haughtiness. They are just mere hoes without their make-up, no different than me, most of them even uglier. After all, I know some small tricks way more subtle and elegant to make myself look attractive.

I'm going mention my opinion about the guys' shallow observation, however, when I intend to, we hear a sudden crack of the lock. A dark shadow sneaks into the room; when it comes into the circle of light, I notice a flash of fair hair and a long beige coat.

'Cathy?', Mrs. Lambert recognizes the tall silhouette with surprise.

The girl ignores her. She keeps the door open for a moment; the reason for that becomes clear when she reaches her hand out into the darkness and pulls someone else inside the house.

'It's all right', she assures the second person, still staying in the dimness.

'Good heavens!', Mrs. Lambert jerks up from her seat, seeing two newcomers.

'Quiet!', her daughter hushes her with a quick gesture, prowling to the window and looking through it cautiously yet attentively.

'What's going on?', Lok's mother, alarmed by Cathy's strange behavior, lowers her voice obediently, spreading her arms in confusion.

'Some men in a sedan were following Scarlet, completely weird!', the girl explains in a piercing, anxious whisper, making me twitch. 'Good thing I drove by…'

What? Did she just say…

'Scarlet, are you alright, dear?', Mrs. Lambert comes to the stranger standing in the hall. 'Come, sit down, here…', she takes the jacket off the guest's back and disappears in the depths of the house, probably to hang the wet cloth on the rack and get some more hot tea.

I've heard it again… THAT name…

'I'll be fine, Mrs. Lambert, really!', a lively, energetic voice with a distinctive Irish accent speaks up and the stranger finally leaves the hall. First thing I notice is a mass of orange-red locks, framing a very pale, thin face with a small pointed nose and narrow eyes; all of that located on a pole-like, slender body with extremely long legs. Is it possible that it's the person we've been talking about? I can't believe it… She's not even pretty…

The young woman doesn't know about my wondering; she takes a seat on the backrest of the armchair, observing the rest of us curiously.

'Lok!', her eyes spot out the young Lambert and stick to the only face apart from Cathy's she knows. 'Is that you?'

Lok clears his throat in embarrassment, not looking into her emerald irises.

'Hey, it's… ah… good to see you…', he mumbles, waving to her and giving her a shy grin.

'Same…', she responds kindly.

Cathy is way more direct towards her younger sibling.

'Wow, if it isn't my globe-trading little brother!', she exclaims, taking her cloak off. 'How's going, stinker?', she says with an incredible fondness and rushes to squeeze him.

'Hi, Cath', Lok hugs her just as warmly, with a joyful smile on his face. 'How're things? Still getting straight days?', he asks absorbedly, tickled by his sister's cleanly-cut hair. Nice styling, by the way. Suits her a bit slanting, large cerulean eyes and regular facial features.

'Yap', the girl releases him from her embrace, giggling, as if she was really proud of herself. 'I'm thinking of going to Italy for a little break', she informs Lok.

'Venice?', I throw in, peeking at him. 'Oh, is that a little too close to the Founda…'

'Foundation!', he interrupts me abruptly, shaking his head slightly, as if he was telling me to cut short here. He earns Cathy's questioning stare. 'It's a club… really loud… lots of tourists…', he invents some poor explanation, making discontent faces to daunt Cathy from this part of the world. I exchange stares with my teammates, a bit puzzled. What wrong did I just say?'

'Cathy isn't exactly a part of the… family business', the least expected person explains me: Scarlet Byrne.

'What are you all talking about?', Cathy knits her plucked eyebrows, staring at us with a smile telling: 'You're my bro's friends from the mental hospital, right?'

Oh, so that's the point. The Lambert family surely has its secrets and strange ways to keep them… even from its own members. Not my problem, though; I won't be the one to break the blanket of silence.

'Uh… these are my friends', Lok changes the topic. 'That's Zhalia, and Sophie, and that's Dante, and that's…', he stops with his hand hanging in the air and pointing at Cherit, who sits above the fireplace and is just about to bite a tart; however, he freezes halfway, frightened. 'That's a statue I bought for Mom!', Lok tries to get out of trouble and comes up with such a lame idea that I'm almost sure the mystification will get ruined in no time. 'Of a gargoyle… eating pie…?'

'That Lok…', Sophie quickly comes to his aid, standing up and covering Cherit with her back not to let Cathy examine him more closely. 'Always picking up strange things!', she lets out a fake chuckle.

Cathy gives her brother a strange look; he shows her a wide, unnatural smile which wouldn't fool anyone. Except of someone who seems to be used to Lok's peculiarities…

'Yeah, he's still a weirdo…', she admits with hesitation; her eyes fall onto Kipperin's amulet hanging down the boy's neck. O-oh, the disaster is coming again…

'I've seen people wear this lately', she touches the pendant, however, backs her hand abruptly, as if the Titan's energy hit her. Then she adds in frustration: 'I so don't get them!...'

Lok tenses in his chair.

'Well, you know, one of those fads…', he tries to calm her down, seeing her puzzled expression.

Cathy gives the stare back uncertainly, eyeing Lok suspiciously.

'A-anyway, nice to meet you all', she tries to call a smile upon her face, however, it looks more like a grimace. 'Gotta make a phone call', she excuses herself quickly, coming up the stairs. 'Major friend drama…'

Cherit sighs with relief when she disappears upstairs.

'Oh my…', he lowers his tensed paw. 'That was a close one, wasn't it?'

We exchange stares; Lok seems to be the most worried, as he still looks above, where Cathy's room is supposed to be. However, we don't have time to discuss the special precautionary measures for that case – Mrs. Lambert comes back from the kitchen with a cup of tea and a towel.

'Here, dear', she gives them to Scarlet.

'Thanks, Mrs. Lambert', Byrne accepts them gratefully. After drinking a sip of steaming drink, she starts to dry her long hair.

'So, Scarlet', Dante reels up to her in a startlingly familiar voice, 'you're on a mission for the Huntik Foundation?'

The ginger suddenly stops sprucing herself up; instead, she fixes her eyes at Dante, examining him carefully.

'Wait a moment, you're Dante Vale, aren't ya?', much to my surprise, she recognizes him just as easily. However, it shouldn't astonish me, most of Huntik guys at least heard about him… It means nothing, doesn't it?

'That's right', Dante nods. 'We met last year in Venice, didn't we?'

All of the sudden, Scarlet beams.

'Of course, it's great to see you!', she exclaims warmly, losing interest in fixing her shiny waist-length curls. If they weren't red, they'd look perfect. Damn it… they look perfect nevertheless! Especially with droplets of rain glittering between the strands like small crystals. Her brightened eyes don't see like two squints anymore, opened wide and sparkling with mysterious emerald light… Dante looks into them like enchanted.

I clear my throat loudly. What, everyone can catch some hoarseness. Dante twitches and comes back to earth.

'Eh… Zhalia, Sophie and Lok here are my team', he introduces us (I guess it's a third time during the whole day!), to which I respond with a short, chilly 'Hi'.

'Actually, a team is just what I could use right now', Scarlet admits, however, I highly doubt that she really needs any of us, as she stares only at Mr. Vale.

'And why is that?', he also seems to talk only with her now. A true interest sounds in his voice. I bet he's not just curious about the new riddle, as he doesn't take his eyes off Scarlet…

'Have you ever heard of the Newgrange passage tomb?', she asks; again, I feel as if we were just an audience for their conversation.

'It's an ancient burial ground and a hotspot of the Irish myths', Dante recalls.

'That's right', Scarlet nods. 'Apparently, it's also a hiding spot of a powerful Titan…'

'A Titan that somebody doesn't want you to find', Lok picks up all the courage and interrupts the talk, hoping to make them notice the rest of us.

'Exactly', Byrne admits. 'Listen, I know you're all on a break, but…', she starts pleadingly.

This voice combined with the way she's fluttering her lashes more often (strange that Dante's hair don't get ruffled by the gust of wind caused by that!)… O-oh. I know what it means. No way, carrot head.

'That's right', I cut in meaningfully. 'We are', I accentuate strongly, implying that we're not going to dance to her tune just because she has a fancy...

However, someone ruins all my efforts.

'Yeah!', Lok accepts enthusiastically. 'We'll do it! '

I open my mouth to protest, however, any words can't escape my throat. Although I'm tongue-tied, my eyes throw bolts of lightning at him.

'Well… at least one out of three ain't bad', Lok corrects awkwardly, much to Scarlet's amusement: her laugh rings in the room like a silver bell.

I grit my teeth and try to kill Lok from the distance with my stare and angry growls, however, my methods fail. And there's Sophie on the way. She gives back a dissatisfied stare, but, much to my surprise, her discontent is not associated with me this time… We both purse our lips and cross our arms hearing the Irish girl's giggle. If she was a damned nightingale, I swear I'd roast her for supper right away.

Those holidays were f*cked up already, she didn't have to ruin them completely by her presence.

'Girls… if you don't want to go, I guess we will manage in a threesome', Scarlet notices our displeasure.

I throw her a suspicious glare.

'A threesome, huh?', I repeat. I bet you'd like to have a love triangle, but did you really count it well? 'You and Lok make only two. Of course if none of you has split personality…', I add ironically.

Scarlet fazes a bit.

'Oh, actually, I thought that…', she looks meaningfully at Dante.

I do the same. Vale gives the stare back. His eyes are clear and composed. Their expression is his unspoken answer.

'No Seeker shies away from a challenge', he responds calmly. 'Especially when there's a chance to make a major discovery…'

I chuckle sarcastically, though a bit bitterly as well. As I see, the matter is settled, regardless if I like it or not. There's no way I'd let them go alone. Dante's mine. Even if it only means that I have a right to choose when to kill him.

The same day, 23:12

The Lamberts' house

County Kerry

Ireland

What a schedule they have in this house?! Going to bed before midnight?! I hope it's only today, due to everyone's tiredness and the tomorrow early wake, otherwise I won't manage staying here for a whole week. I'm not used to falling asleep early. The rain doesn't make it easier; its heavy droplets clatter against the roof and windows, which is the most easily heard on the attic where my room is located.

To scare away boredom, I drew out my diary and intended to write the everyday report for Klaus. However, even if I try hard, the words just don't come out, stuck in my head, analyzing them over and over. How am I supposed to start? What should I write when everything I remember from that day is focused not on my mission, but on Dante's mysterious connection to Scarlet Byrne?!

We met last year in Venice, didn't we?

How come he remembers it so clearly if he can't even call back what he told me two weeks ago? Like, you know, those suggestions that he was hitting on me?

Well, I guess he has another object of his advances… and, much to my disappointment, it's not a girl I imagined, a blonde bimbo type.

But, hell, what's so special about her? She seems to be in her early or mid twenties yet she doesn't have anything like boobs! She's skinny and lanky like a scarecrow, even her loose green shirt can't hide it! No fine feminine curves. And that thin ass of hers… no flesh bouncing up and down while walking. Even Lok has more of hips than her, and he's just a lean boy! And… those legs… OK, they're long, so what?! They look like two rakes. No wonder she hides them… wearing jeans. Pheh! What a profanation - someone like her in my favorite type of trousers! It enrages me so much I can't hold it any longer. I'd love to rip that clothing off her scrawny bottom.

However, it could only gratify the male audience… Men like nudeness in any case. Some of them don't seem to mind skeleton-like build and pay attention to more appealing details. Her complexion, for example… Though she's whitish like Sadako Yamamura, her skin lacks any defects, even without make up which must've been washed by the rain. It's just her natural advantage… unlike her teeth, visible between her parted pale lips when she smiled. I'm sure they're veneers. What normal woman has such porcelain-white, even teeth?! Her eyes, though narrow and small like two squints, don an unusual emerald color, just like a clover. A typical Irish appearance… green eyes, pale skin and… those red hair… Them falling onto her shoulders in shiny curls… I can't lie to myself that it's just a hairdressing trick; after such a soak, every styling would go to waste. They're perfect.

Dante has a thing for hair. He once told me that mine are beautiful… that he liked their shade and gloss.

I peek at my strands, lying flatly on my shoulders. What would I look like after a cloudburst if I can't keep them neatly even after hours of doing them? So pathetic. No wonder he lied. He is always so well-mannered, damn it. I guess that's why women like him so much. And jump into his bed more willingly…

I'm almost sure he slept with Scarlet. Or at least wanted to. What would be the different reason for his quick recall? I don't find any better explanation. I snarl. What a bad taste he has. But what else did I expect from him, huh? He's such a small potatoes. He'd enjoy even banging that cornstalk! That's all he deserves, that bloody shag artist…

A challenge, pheh! A major discovery! Don't pull the wool over my eyes, Vale! The only discovery you are so eager to make is seeing what color Scarlet's panties are.

Now he's going to have a whole page dedicated to his density, damn it! I hope I'll have enough time to read it to him before I slash his head open!

I'm about to write the first letter, however, the tip of the pen only scratches the paper when I twitch, hearing a beeping thud. I stare at the smirch left on the sheet with disgust. I quickly lose interest in it, though. I listen to the sound, thinking that I only misheard it. It is quiet yet distinctive. I recognize the ringtone even too clearly. That cell phone… it can't be…

The report can wait. I reach for my suitcase and open it abruptly, then draw out the phone. I answer it and put it next to my ear.

'Zhalia, my dear, I hope I am not calling too late.'

If I didn't know who was calling me, I'd never recognize Klaus. He sounds different than usual. I don't know… happy? Excited? Energetic? However, it doesn't make me feel more relaxed and outgoing addressing him. I guess it's still my injured pride after the bruise event.

'Of course not, what is it?', I respond stiffly.

'Surprise, surprise, I have a secret mission for you!', he beams. His voice reminds me a lot of a certain children's tale he read me before sleep - about a wolf who ate some honey to soften his voice and lure little goats out their house by tricking them into believing that it was their mother calling them. However, I'm not a kid. I'm not that easy to deceive. I know that behind Klaus' sugar-coated voice, there always lies guile.

'I've already got a secret mission', I remind him strictly.

'Oh really?', Klaus gets less informal, instead fills his voice with a drop of venom. 'If that is so, then why the records of your activity are still not on my desk?'

I desperately think of an alibi to justify the delay. Yes, why?! Why haven't I gotten anything from Dante yet?! What's going on with me that it takes me so long?! The explanation has to be believable. Otherwise I'll have to hide my face for another week.

The long lack of words from Klaus' side bodes ill.

'I told you not to lie to me', he reminds me severely. 'I am sure you have not charmed Mr. Vale yet, Zhalia. If you did, you would not drag the masquerade any longer, with your hasty personality.'

I break a cold sweat. What a fool I was… I thought that I was so clever, so sly and professional… Bullshit. My evasions were for nothing. Klaus, the one who taught me the wiles, wouldn't fall into his own trap. He always mercilessly points out my every weak spot. Who else would call me, a cold calculated bitch, hasty? He already knows about my made-up stories about seducing Dante. And though he remains unmoved, I have a feeling that it's only a prelude for a reprimand. He warned me and he doesn't like to repeat himself twice seeing that it doesn't give any results. Punishments are best lessons, that's his opinion. I guess he's right. Nothing knocks sense into your head as well as a fist.

Not a week, then. Maybe a month, maybe less, if I'd be lucky enough to escape this without broken limbs.

The way I breathe seems so loud in the lingering silence. It's better not to break it. Anything I say can be used only against me.

However, Klaus speaks up suddenly:

'Oh no, I do not blame you. I also tend to get a little… impatient… when specimens do not cooperate.'

He… he's not angry with me?!...

'I guess it is harder than we both thought, right?', he continues mildly, with stunning leniency. 'Otherwise you would make it quick, any man cannot resist your glamour. Maybe he is not really interested in women, as you suggested.'

Oh no, he is. But not in me. Why? Scarlet just walked into the room and he acts like a puppy on her leash, letting her pull him even to the Meath County. I've wasted two weeks on flirting with him and achieved nothing. What is wrong with me?! Why aren't my unerring tactics working?! It's so pathetic. Even Klaus feels pity for me, and believe me, he's not the most compassionate guy you've ever met…

'However, we cannot wait any longer', he comes back to the topic so rapidly that I even doubt if he really sounded so considerate before. 'The Professor will not wait forever. We have to resort to more drastic methods.'

'What do you mean?', I ask him anxiously. It's not that I'm a fragile flower who fears 'drastic methods'. However, Klaus' are exceptionally… elaborate. There are always needles, forceps and lancets involved.

Klaus chuckles under his breath.

'I am sending my latest creation', he announces with pride. 'It is called a death com. Use it on Dante Vale to drain him of all his magic. Without it, he will be helpless… and you can finish him at your leisure', he almost purrs with pleasure, his voice smooth like an assassin's knife reached out from the scabbard.

My throat suddenly gets sore. I swallow hardly.

'You're not serious', I hoarse. I feel bitterness in my mouth.

Klaus gives out a surprised hum.

'Getting rid of Mr. Vale as fast as we can is our highest priority, is it not?'

'It is, but…', I try to find any good excuse; what for?... 'What about the secrets he keeps? I was supposed to elicit them from him…'

'The Organization will possess them faster taking over his house after his elimination', Klaus cuts the ground from under my feet.

'But… some of them are certainly protected by spells known only by him, some kind of codes, force fields adjusted to recognize only his distinctive power, fingerprint, or something…', I mumble, my tongue is like a restive horse in full gallop.

'Do you suppose that the masters of espionage and trickery would not manage breaking some abject precautions?', Klaus asks me patronizingly. 'Do not worry, I will obtain as much as we need from our prey. A fingerprint, you say… I will point out to my minions to pay attention to the fingers, then. Although it is not necessary for them to be attached to the hand, is it?', he wonders out loud. 'Nevermind. Just bring him to me and you can call your mission successful.'

I open my mouth to say something, but my heart pounding in my throat keeps me from speaking. I dreamed about it so many times. So many times… like, with that brilliantine businessman… I dreamt about having such option to choose. Just to wipe him off existence, without a need to entertain him first. So why am I not relieved now? Why everything I feel is emptiness?...

Maybe because it's not still the businessman guy from the hotel whom I wish a painful death every day and whom I'd love to see crippled, humiliated, at my mercy, just like many other scumbags I took care of before.

We talk about Dante Vale. The man who treats me like a partner, not a toy. The one who seems not to pay attention to my sexuality, but when he does, he is always so respectable and his compliments heart-warming. Just as if it wasn't obvious that a girl like me should be useful only in bed…

Klaus takes my silence badly.

'I thought you would be satisfied with that solution', he murmurs suspiciously. 'Am I mistaken?'

If you asked me few days earlier, I wouldn't hesitate. I'd give everything just to smash that bearded mug of his and then wash my hands and walk away, satisfied with myself, sinking in luxury, admiration, privileges... But I'm not sure anymore. It just doesn't look right. Dante deserves something more than that. Something more… elegant. Like a last gift from me or something. It'd take more time, but at least it'd go my way.

However, I don't have it. And with Scarlet around, my mission is more endangered than ever.

'I will do that', I respond quietly. My voice was supposed to sound determined. It wasn't. It was like a faint whisper on a deathbed.