Chapter 33

Now Melyssa's heart was beating furiously in her chest and her breathing had turned a little heavy, her teal eyes wide at his request. They were outside of her house, in the open, with people walking past them to head to work or the markets Jurai offered. If she rejected him, Melyssa was afraid Crow would shut down again and that was the last thing she wanted. Before she could answer, however, a voice sounded behind them and Melyssa silently thanked the Goddess for small favors.

"Are you two done yet? We need to have a meeting." It was Ash, brash and blunt as always with arms folded in front of his massive chest.

"Y-Yeah, we're done." Melyssa felt Crow release her hands and step back, not realizing her throat had become bone dry in the short span of time. She needed time to sort her feelings out and Crow had put her on the spot at the worst possible time. "We'll talk about this later." She murmured to Crow, letting him know she wasn't trying to ignore his request and followed Ash inside the house for the meeting.

Ash had the WORST timing of anyone he had ever known, himself included, Crow thought as he followed the pair inside. He had not missed the way she had hurried, as if she was afraid he might actually kiss her and wasn't sure how he felt about that. Maybe after the first time and his actions immediately afterwards, she wanted nothing to do with him in that way and he didn't blame her. Crow stepped into the house, noting that the majority of Class VII had assembled in the living room and Rean was standing before the now cold fireplace, patiently waiting it seemed on them.

"We're splitting into pairs again." Rean informed them once everyone was there, his fuchsia eyes raking over his students. His friends. The distinction in situations like this was important because it was not only a teaching moment, but a dangerous situation and they WERE his friends, his family.

"Mr. Schwarzer, with all due respect, I don't need protection and I'd rather all of you being out there finding my husband." Miranda requested, grateful to finally have some help with this horrible situation.

"No Mom, what if they come for you next? You need to be protected." Melyssa interjected immediately, shaking her head.

"Instructor would not allow that." Altina chimed in, nodding over at Rean, who already had a look on his face that mirrored what she said.

"Damn straight, we're not gonna leave you to defend yourself. Even if Schwarzer allowed it, I wouldn't." Ash stated defiantly, pink eyes narrowing at the older woman, who had done so much for them already.

Melyssa smiled at Ash appreciatively.

"Instructor, if I may…" Kurt even rose his arm, watching Rean nod his head, giving him permission to continue. "Juna and I shall stay here and guard Mrs. Brackett since we ventured out with you yesterday. You can take, Ash, Crow, Melyssa and Altina with you this time around. It may help that Crow is regaining his memories of this place as well. Perhaps he'll know some contacts you haven't thought of?"

"Ash and Crow are going back to the docks." Rean said after a moment, unaware Crow and Melyssa had made up. He knew they had been talking last night and then again this morning, but with their inability to link up properly, he preferred them to work with different people and a large group was going to attract even more attention then what they already were with this investigation. "Melyssa and Altina-"

"I think I should go with Crow and Ash." Altina interrupted in her soft, robotic voice. "I would like to visit the docks."

"This isn't that kind of field trip, Altina." Ash shook his head at her.

"She goes."

Altina nodded her head at Rean while Ash grumbled.

"Melyssa, you're with me."

"Yes, Instructor."

Their inability to link up would hopefully be settled later that night after the investigation was over with. What was it about the docks that had Rean so interested, though? If Ash and Crow couldn't find anything yesterday, what made him think they would today? Maybe bringing Altina would give them more room for exploring as well?

"Thank you, Kurt, for volunteering to keep my Mom safe."

"It really isn't necessary…"

"Yes it is, Mom. Ouroboros is extremely dangerous and we've already lost Papa…" That was very hard for her to say, but Melyssa managed to do it, clearing her throat. "And Dad is missing, I'm not about to lose you too."

"Agreed." Crow wanted to show his support however he could for this family he was slowly but surely remembering.

Spending the entire day with Rean would be interesting…and Melyssa would hopefully work out whatever these feelings were for him before her Combat Link practice session with Crow later on.

The investigation at the docks had been somewhat hindered by Crow's memories resurfacing and causing him to halt. It had provided useful too as he had remembered little things, little ways of getting around or inside of buildings without being seen, but… Rean knew Altina had a keen eye and given that the docks was where a lot of business went down, it would also be a good place for shady dealings. She was likely to pick up on those. Not many people took her to be an insanely intelligent, deadly force because of her angelic looks, but she was.

"We're going to the… upper class areas of Jurai today." Rean informed Melyssa once Ash, Crow and Altina had vacated, Ash still grumbling under his breath. "We know the commoners are scared, I want to see the nobility."

It made sense since there was a great deal of nobility in Jurai these days. There was no hiding who Rean was because he was well-known throughout the empire. Most of the nobility hated him for putting a kibosh on Duke Cayenne's reign of terror and that was only because he was FOR the nobility. "I am ready when you are, Instructor." Melyssa walked over to her mother and hugged her, kissing her forehead. "You're in good hands, Mom. We'll be back later on."

"Just try not to be TOO late and be careful."

They both nodded before leaving the house, Melyssa sending a wink to Juna and Kurt on her way out the door to let them know she trusted them to protect her mother. Not only were they classmates, but they were friends and they had to trust each other to get through this.

"We're going to probably be out late." Rean laughed as they headed towards the first section of Jurai they had come in when arriving, where they had noticed all the upper class dwelling.

It was a stark difference between that area and where they were currently and he was pretty sure the majority of those changes were new. He had forgotten what being 'mothered' was like. Miranda was definitely a mom, treating them as if they were precious children instead of warriors and learning warriors, which he liked actually.

"Now tell me what you remember about this area and the people here. Anyone you remember that is noteworthy?"

"It wasn't like this before. All the nobility wasn't here a year ago when I left." Melyssa kept her voice down to where only Rean could hear her and he had looped his arm through hers. They were in regular clothing instead of their Thors uniforms to stay incognito as much as possible. "There are several new shops here too and I'm betting their run by the nobility as well." She discreetly pointed them out, which consisted of two jewelry stores, a clothing store and another store that wasn't labeled, but people kept coming and going out of it, carrying bags. "All of these used to be markets to help sell goods Jurai receives by trade or from fishing and hunting." The woods were a great resource for furs and hides. "I just can't believe how much has changed in the span of a year…"

"So, all of this, including the buildings are new, within the span of a year?"

Rean wanted to be sure he was understanding this correctly, raising one brow when Melyssa shook her head no and explained. The old shops had been taken over. All of this within a year, buying out, or more likely forcing out, shop owners and setting up news businesses… he just couldn't fathom such drastic changes within a year.

"Let's go into the unmarked shop."

That seemed weirdly out of place, a shop that had no indication of what goods it sold but people were going in and out. Keeping her arm tucked in his, he purposefully strode that way, each step sure and confident. He couldn't hide who he was, so he would play to the role, which meant confidence and keeping his head up proudly.

Melyssa kept her head up as well, though on the inside she was enraged by all the changes Jurai went through. This was NOT the Jurai she grew up with and loved. She knew money spoke volumes, especially in this day and age, so it wasn't unheard of that the nobility would force the commoners out of their businesses by throwing a bunch of mira their way. Stepping inside the unmarked shop, Melyssa swallowed back a gasp and looked around, not believing what was being sold. Weapons of every caliber hung on the walls, along with shields, staffs to perform magic, ARCUS units, and accessories, both big and small and for both men and women. Jurai had NEVER had a shop like this.

Sure, they had a weapon and accessories shop, but this was…on a whole different level. There were other things to buy as well such as home décor, souvenirs, clothes…Melyssa looked up at Rean and could see the pensive expression on his face, wondering what was going through his mind. She COULD harbor a guess and one of those questions was why was all of these weapons being sold to nobles and commoners freely? Some of these weapons should have been outlawed since the Imperial Army, RMP and Provincial Army, which was basically an army for the nobility.

"This is crazy." She whispered, letting Rean guide her wherever he wanted to go while her eyes took in everything in horrific amazement.

This was highly illegal or should have been. Rean took his time, his hand moving to rest on the small of her back, as if he was being considerate when it reality he didn't trust anyone here. He felt something prickly, raising the hair on the back of his neck. Nobody needed THIS kind of firepower, not the average citizen anyway, not unless they were planning on a coup or… a war. He swallowed hard, glancing down at Melyssa and could see she was entertaining the same thoughts. It was mixed so casually with everyday wares and nobody seemed to be batting an eye. He wondered if Jurai was only the beginning, how many other places were starting to become like this?

"Well, well, well, if it isn't the FAMOUS Ashen Chevalier!" A fiery redhead came bouncing up to them with a smarmy grin on her face, almost indecently dressed.

The Sanguine Ogre, Shirley Orlando. She was the cousin of Randy Orlando, who was one of the Instructors at Thors Branch School, currently. Randy and his students were in a nearby city investigating and Melyssa would bet the same thing was transpiring there as it was in Jurai. Shirley was also the daughter of the leader of the Jaeger corps known as the Red Constellation. They were the most lethal Jaeger corps in Erebonia. As if that wasn't enough, she was also Enforcer No. XVII in Ouroboros. This was a terrifying woman and Melyssa could FEEL the power oozing out of her pores, her eyes moving to look up at Rean. He didn't seem fazed, only surprised to find a member of Ouroboros out in the open like this. Melyssa wanted to demand where her father was, but that wouldn't be a smart idea, given the circumstances, so she kept her mouth shut.

"What's the matter, Ashen, cat got your tongue?"

Rean, in a childish moment, almost stuck it out at her, but refrained, slowly raising an eyebrow. "No, Shirley, I was just thinking that with business being so good, you may be able to afford decent attire finally." He said coolly, letting his upper lip curve into a sneer before his face smoothed out into something neutral.

She was out and about brazenly; Jurai had definitely been taken by the enemy and they were feeling secure in their power. She wasn't someone he wanted to tussle with in a shop. Shirley wouldn't care about collateral damage, she was quite mad.

"I know, right?! Business is BOOMING! Daddy is so proud!" This was her pride and joy, this shop full of all kinds of goodies only the nobility could afford. A few commoners came and went, but for the most part, it was nobility buying up everything.

"Rean."

"Oh, I do believe you remember the FORMER Crown Prince Cedric. Did I tell you we're engaged?" Flashing Rean her blood red stone on her left ring finger, she draped an arm around Cedric's neck and gave him a smacking kiss on the cheek.

Cedric had been part of Osborne's insane Twilight curse, the Phantasmal Blaze plan, and he'd gone toe to toe with Rean and Class VII. Because he wasn't an Immortal, he didn't die once the Rivalry was settled with Rean being the victor. Instead of going back to the empire and begging his father for forgiveness, Cedric joined the Red Constellation and Ouroboros instead and renounced his title as Crown Prince of Erebonia. He was now simply Cedric of the Red Constellation Yaeger corps and an Enforcer in training for Ouroboros.

One day, he would take over as the leader since he was marrying the current leader's daughter.

"It's…been a long time, Rean." Cedric didn't look happy or sad, his face completely stoic while Shirley boasted about their engagement. He did love her, but his spirit had been crushed once the Chancellor died.

"Not long enough." Cedric was almost as crazy as Shirley and he didn't bother making introductions with Melyssa. Chances were, she already recognized him, a quick glance down at her wide teal eyes informed him this was accurate. "I suppose congratulations are in order."

"That's so sweet!" Shirley chirped, fluttering her eyelashes at them both.

"Apologies, I meant condolences."

He was channeling his inner Ash and Crow. The mighty had fallen far indeed and considering he was former royalty, Cedric knew better than anybody that what was happening here in Jurai would not stand, it could not. It wasn't going to set the tone for the country as a whole.

"And WHO is this LOVELY, delectable morsel on your arm, Schwarzer, hmm?" Shirley stepped up to Melyssa to wrap her arm around the girl's shoulders and pouted when she stepped back.

"Don't touch me." Melyssa ordered, tensed and coiled, fighting the urge to reach for her Cutlass, but Rean stopped her by wrapping an arm around her waist.

"Oohhh, forgive me, I didn't realize the lady was taken already. Very cute, and I bet there's a hellcat in there waiting to be released." Shirley liked women and slid her tongue out to wet her lips, giving her best sultry look. "Just know, if the Ashen Chevalier can't satisfy you, I damn sure will give it my best shot, dollface."

Melyssa shuddered involuntarily, unable to suppress it and tightened her jaw, clenching her teeth. They have to know where my father is. There's no way Shirley will tell us, but maybe Cedric will, if we can get him alone, she thought, her eyes moving to the uneasy looking young man.

"I suppose congratulations are in order for you as well, Rean." Cedric was used to Shirley's eccentric behavior and eyeballed the dark blue haired girl with interest. "Didn't realize Instructors could date their students, though. Was that rule thrown out in Thors?"

Melyssa's jaw dropped. How the HELL did he know she was Rean's student?! She wasn't wearing her school uniform! That told Melyssa one thing: They were being spied on. "W-We're not…"

"Oh please! No need to be modest!" Shirley cackled, her eyes practically dancing with mirth. "This IS the Ashen Chevalier, after all, so I'm sure he can get away with breaking rules. He WAS always a rulebreaker, after all. Isn't that right, Schwarzer?"