Isaac was looking from a vantage point, surveying the warehouse. It was dark out, perfect for a covert operation. Guards were placed outside of the building, letting in two people into the warehouse. Isaac held down a button on his communicator, speaking.

"Alright, two people just went into the warehouse. One was wearing a suit, and the other was armed." Isaac detailed.

"If they let them in, it might be a guy from the pharmaceutical company. If you can, try to get a picture of the guy, too. Now, a lot of these warehouses were built by the same company about thirty years ago. Now, if this building is like the other ones, a ventilation shaft should be on the south end of the building. Get to the roof and look for the ventilation opening." Xorelaz explained, before signing off.

Isaac, his wings materializing, leaped off the vantage point. He glided towards the warehouse, silently landing on the roof. Isaac's wings receded, quietly walking to the south end of the warehouse. He carefully looked over the ledge, seeing the ventilation ductwork. Isaac grabbed the ledge and lowered himself, using a free hand to remove the vent cover. As soon as he opened it, he swung himself into the ductwork, replacing the ventilation cover.

"I'm in." Isaac communicated.

"Nice. Alright, now find the equipment." Xorelaz responded.

Isaac began crawling through the ductwork, going as fast as he could without making any loud noises. As he crawled, he stopped at a ventilation cover, seeing guards walking in patrols.

"Man, these guys are organized." Isaac observed.

But as Isaac observed, the patrols began to travel at a very fast speed, Isaac confused and disoriented by their hastened pace! Isaac closed his eyes and shook his head, opening them. The patrols were back to their original speed, Isaac's disorientation relieved.

"It's getting worse." Isaac commented, resuming his crawl through the ductwork.

After a few minutes, Isaac saw the equipment, manufacturing hundreds of tablets a minute! Workers wearing protective equipment were bagging a precise amount into plastic bags, before setting them on a tray.

"I found the equipment. It's currently operating. It's pumping out more tablets than I thought possible." Isaac communicated.

"Try to get a picture of it operating. After that, clear the area to get the serial number pictures." Xorelaz instructed.

Isaac took out his flip phone, making sure the sound and flash were off. He instead took a video of the equipment operating, making sure to get the workers who were bagging it, as well. After about a minute, Isaac put his phone away, trying to think of a way to clear the area to get pictures. But as he did, a few guards came to the equipment, showing it to the new arrival.

"Ooh… gotcha!" Isaac quietly said, taking his phone out and recording the event.

"The equipment you got us is working perfectly! We're able to pump out close to seven hundred thousand tablets in a 24-hour period! And with the purity rate, we're able to keep accidental overdoses to a minimum!" One of the guards said, communicating this to the man.

"Good. Wouldn't do well to kill your customers. Now, the release of our treatment drug is still in the testing phase. But approval from the FDA should be guaranteed, once they see how widespread the drug is. Hell, once we get this over to the Kingdom of Acorn, I can already hear the phone call, saying that we're going to be the richest men on Mobius!" The man laughed.

Isaac had to bite his tongue, fighting the urge to drop down and wipe them all out, knowing their plans!

"How long has the equipment been running?" The man asked.

"About thirteen hours." One of the workers answered.

"I do hope your taking periods of inactivity to prevent damage from overheating. I can't guarantee replacement parts at this time." The man responded.

"Yes, sir! We should, uh… you know what, shut it down for now. You two, take an hour break." One of the guards said, the workers nodding.

They soon shut down the equipment, the guards continuing to show the man in the suit around their facility. As soon as the workers walked away from the equipment, Isaac silently opened the ventilation cover and dropped down, making sure there was no one else around. Isaac began taking pictures of the chemistry lab, eventually making it to the tablet press. Isaac was looking around the equipment, before finding a small serial number underneath the press.

"One little picture, and…" Isaac said, before taking the picture. Isaac quickly took all the pictures he captured, including the video, and sent it as a mass email to Xorelaz. As soon as he saw the email had been sent, he quickly jumped back into the ductwork.

"Xorelaz, did you get it?" Isaac asked.

"Just got it. Pictures looking great, and the video is icing on the cake! Now, get back before they spot you!" Xorelaz responded.

Isaac grabbed the ventilation cover, closing it towards him. As soon as he knew it was secured, he began crawling back towards the exit. After a few minutes, he popped open the ventilation cover, throwing himself out of the ductwork and quickly flying away from the warehouse! As he flew above the city, he saw an armored truck leave the warehouse, driving towards the docks.

"Xorelaz, an armored truck just left the warehouse. I'm going to check out where it's headed." Isaac communicated.

"Go ahead but be careful! Don't let yourself be seen." Xorelaz responded.

Isaac began covertly following the truck, seeing it was avoiding the major highway, taking less traveled roads. As Isaac followed, the truck soon stopped outside of the docks, two guards wearing fishermen clothes hopping out of the back. They soon grabbed four large boxes from the truck, walking towards the docks.

"Xorelaz, it's Isaac. Two guards are walking towards the docks with boxes. I think they're shipping out Bubble Bombs through the docks." Isaac communicated.

"Well, stop them! We can't let them ship out any more than they already have!" Xorelaz responded.

Isaac, taking a deep breath, diverted his flight towards the two guards! He landed in front of them, feeling his power shrouding him! He swiped his hands towards them, a jet of Hellfire sweeping towards them! The heat of the Hellfire caused them to drop the boxes, bags of Bubble Bombs dropping from them! As the tablets broke upon the ground, the Demon took over a part of Isaac, feeling cravings for the narcotic!

"NO! WE CAN"T!" Isaac internally yelled, before forcing the Demon to recede! Isaac suddenly felt .45 caliber bullets rip through his body, having left himself vulnerable to their attacks! Isaac stumbled back, Hellfire soon engulfing him!

His body began repairing the damage, but it was slower than usual, the bullets having some kind of effect on his healing factor! The guards were reloading, Isaac seeing his opportunity! Isaac sent a wave of fire towards the boxes of Bubble Bombs, quickly incinerating them! As the guards attempted to kill him, the driver from the armored truck exited the cabin, running towards the guards with an advanced military weapon!

"I need to get the law's attention!" Isaac thought to himself, before lobbing a fireball towards the armored truck! The truck exploded upon impact, the guards and driver quickly turning towards the explosion!

Isaac took advantage of the diversion, quickly running towards the docks! As he ran, he felt another bullet rip through his right leg, sending Isaac towards the ground! Isaac looked back, seeing the guards still walking towards him, keeping their guns pointed at him. Isaac looked back to the water, seeing a slim chance of escape!

"Lord Elohim, please! I just need an opening! A chance to escape!" Isaac quietly pleaded. As soon as he said that a police siren went off, grabbing their attention! Isaac pulled himself into the harbor, splashing into the frigid water!

"GET DOWN ON THE GROUND!" The officer commanded, the guards reluctantly complying.

As the arrest was occurring, Isaac was holding onto the wall of the dock, the cold water numbing his bullet wounds. Isaac soon started pulling himself along the wall, making sure he distanced himself from the crazy bastards with guns! After he made sure he was a good distance away, he pulled himself out of the harbor, rolling out onto his back, exhausted!

"Xorelaz… can you hear me?" Isaac communicated.

There was only silence on the communicator. Isaac shook it a bit, seeing that it was waterlogged. He sighed, before forcing himself to stand on his own two feet. Isaac soon began the slow journey back to the apartment, leaning heavily on the walls of the buildings as he walked. As he walked, he saw his wounds weren't healing anymore, almost as if his healing factor was severely reduced! He felt himself bleeding as he walked, before feeling himself collapse on the ground.

"I can make it…" Isaac breathed, before feeling his arms turn into jelly. He couldn't pick himself back up, feeling his vision blur. In his blurred state, he saw a tall man approach him, carrying a small bag.

"…can't… keep… eyes… open." Isaac muttered, before finally closing them.

Sometime Later:

Isaac gasped for air, coughing horrendously! He felt himself upon a bedroll, heavy blankets draped over him. He felt the warm air from an electric heater, an electric flame dimly lighting the room. It was someone's office. A wooden desk and a few paintings were in the office, all of them with religious significance. Isaac threw the blankets off of himself, sitting up. He opened his shirt, seeing where the bullets had entered and exited his body. They were scars now, his body having repaired the damaged while he was unconcious. Isaac gently poked it, suddenly feeling debilitating pain travel through his body. He felt dizzy, lightheaded. Fighting the urge to pass out, he carefully stood up, walking towards the door.

Isaac opened it, seeing he was in a church. The church was dimly lit, a table of candles lit. The pews were lit with small lanterns, leading to the stand. In the aisle was the bandaged man Isaac had seen yesterday, who was kneeled in prayer, his head bowed. As Isaac walked towards him, Isaac sucked in air through his teeth, clutching the bullet wound on the right side of his abdomen. The man rose to his feet, turning towards Isaac. He quickly walked to Isaac, stopping him from falling to the floor.

"Don't worry. You're safe now." The man said, helping Isaac into one of the pews.

"What happened? Where am I?" Isaac asked.

"I found you bleeding out on the sidewalk on my way back from the gas station. As soon as I recognized you, I took you back to the church to tend to your wounds." The man said.

"You… you recognized me?" Isaac questioned. The man nodded.

"I had seen you before. But the first time, you were only a child." The man revealed.

"Did you work with the caravans?" Isaac asked. The man shook his head.

"No… I was once a soldier. A soldier… of Honorius." The man said. Isaac's eyes widened in horror, quickly stumbling away from the man, falling into the pew aisle!

"G-get away from me!" Isaac yelled, feeling completely vulnerable. The man backed away, keeping his hands in front of him, showing himself unarmed.

"I am not that man, anymore! I have paid for my sins… a hundred times over." The man confessed.

Isaac, breathing heavily, pulled himself back onto his feet, still keeping his distance.

"If you knew who I was, why did you save me?" Isaac questioned.

"Because I am not the man I once was. Because you were instrumental in neutralizing the Order of Honorius. There are many things I could say, but the simplest answer is… it was the right thing to do." The man answered.

"Who exactly are you?" Isaac asked.

"To one, I am 'husband'. To two, I am 'father'. To my congregation, I am 'Pastor'. But you… you may call me Joshua." He revealed.

Isaac slowly walked closer to Joshua, Joshua sighing.

"You have every right to be apprehensive about me. For my years in the Order, I had only sown fear and chaos into all that defied us. But it wasn't until my failure to the Order had I finally seen the Devil in my work. And it wasn't until I was set ablaze, did I feel the flames of Hell lapping at my soul." Joshua explained.

Isaac's eyes widened, realizing why he was bandaged as extensively as he was.

"Is that why..?" Isaac began to ask, before he was interrupted.

"Not here. Follow me." Joshua said, walking towards the office. Isaac followed, Joshua closing the door behind them.

"Before I tell you, you must promise me you won't tell anyone about me. I have worked rigorously to create a new identity for myself, an identity distanced from the Order of Honorius. You must promise you will never tell a soul unless I tell you to do so." Joshua said. Isaac nodded.

Joshua took a deep breath, before sitting down at his desk.

"It was almost nine years ago. We had received word that a demon was on the Southwest Island. They had issues with this one before, so they asked me to ensure that everyone, including his brood, would be taken care of." Joshua said, beginning his story.

9 Years Ago:

Joshua, his skin fair and hair long, was hiding in the brush, his hand resting on his Browning .45. He could see the cabin ablaze, waiting for anyone from the site of attack to come his way. He had received orders to ensure no survivors would live for long, so as to ensure the secrecy of their operations. After a few minutes of waiting, he soon saw a small figure running from the attack, carrying a large pack. Joshua, grinning, cocked his gun, drawing a bead on the figure.

"One bullet… one kill." Joshua said to himself. But as he readied his shot, he saw the figure stop, before taking its pack and opening it. Soon, Joshua saw the light from the blaze cast a light on this figure, being a small Mobian child.

"What?" Joshua questioned, before seeing the child had pulled a Mobian infant from his pack, holding the infant close to him, cradling it.

"They're… they're not demons?" Joshua asked himself, before slowly feeling himself holster his weapon.

The child, quickly looking back at the blaze, gently put the infant back into his pack, before running further away from the site of attack. Joshua, beginning to feel himself panic, ran towards the blaze, seeing the others were waiting for him.

"My God! What have we done?!" Joshua asked aloud, finally seeing the depravity of their actions.

"Where's the demon-spawn? Did you kill it?" The leader asked. Joshua, feeling his anger grow as the flames, exploded at him!

"You deceiver! You have told us a demon resides here, but what I saw was no demon-spawn, but only a child!" Joshua yelled, the leader frowning at this.

"You let your eyes deceive you, Joshua. In front of was no child, but a demon in mortal form! You have allowed it to escape!" The leader yelled. Joshua, in his anger, spit upon the leader. He wiped it from his face, before smashing a petroleum-based Molotov against his face, covering his body in oil! Joshua fell to the ground, before a hastily lit match contacted his body, engulfing his body into flames!

"You two! Find the demon-spawn and kill it!" He yelled, two soldiers running towards where the Mobian had run.

Joshua, still engulfed in fire, had somehow risen to his feet, attempting to run towards the soldiers to stop them! The leader threw a knife at Joshua's back, causing him to collapse! The leader calmly walked towards Joshua, seeing the flames were still burning.

"I can't move my legs!" Joshua thought to himself, unable to feel them! The leader crouched down to Joshua, pulling the knife out of his back, and flipping him to see his face!

"You traitor! You betrayed the Order! You defied my orders! You allowed evil to escape!" He yelled, raising his knife above his head.

Joshua, in his struggling, could feel himself able to move his legs again! He looked behind himself, seeing a rushing stream that led towards the Mobian Sea!

"Now, prepare thyself for the flames of Hell!" The leader yelled, ready to stab Joshua!

"You first!" Joshua exclaimed, before kicking himself away from the leader, rolling into the stream!

The leader stumbled back, before tripping backwards and falling onto a jagged tree stump, the jagged shard of wood impaling though his back! He screamed and coughed up blood, unable to remove himself from the stump! His screams soon grew quiet, before stopping altogether. Joshua was swept away into the Mobian Sea, his skin feeling as if it was still on fire! He soon saw himself drifting off into the sea, before looking back up to the sky, seeing that it was soon dawn.

"Lord… please… have mercy… upon me." Joshua said, before feeling himself sink below the waves.

Present Day:

"I had somehow washed ashore, feeling the waves crash upon me. I managed to limp towards the hospital, before passing out in the lobby. When I had awoken, I was covered in bandages and hooked to a ventilator. I knew then, the only reason I had survived, was because my act of defiance had set me on the path of forgiveness." Joshua finished.

Isaac was stunned, realizing that Joshua had the choice to end his and his sister's life, but chose against it. After a few moments, he broke the silence.

"Who else knows who you really are?" Isaac asked.

"My wife. The nurse who tended to my wounds as I recovered in the hospital. I had revealed to her before we wed, that I had been part of the Order since my birth. It… wasn't an easy truth for her to accept." Joshua answered.

"But she looked past it." Isaac commented. Joshua nodded.

"As she had looked beyond my scars, she had looked beyond my past. She saw my soul. She saw who I could be, not who I was." Joshua responded.

As they talked, Isaac saw the clock on the wall, showing it was almost two-in-the-morning.

"Do you always work this late?" Isaac asked. Joshua nodded.

"I am unable to sleep during the night. It works between my wife and me. I work through the night, being a constant presence in the cathedral. When I go home, my wife prepares to go to work. We have breakfast together, and I then change my bandages and sleep. I awake before the children return from school, I make sure their homework is done, and my wife returns from work. We spend the afternoon together, and then in the evening, I go to work." Joshua explained.

"You have kids?" Isaac asked.

"While they are not mine, biologically, I see them as my own. I had been told by many doctors I would be unable to have children of my own, but as I see it, having those two in my life is more than I deserve, knowing what I have done." Joshua answered.

"I… well, I have a daughter. She's back home in the Kingdom of Acorn. The reason I'm here is… well, I think you can piece that together." Isaac said, not wanting to divulge too much why he was in Central City.

"Judging by the caliber of bullets I had to pick out of your body, I'm assuming it has to do with the Bubble Bomb cartels that've been operating as of late." Joshua said. Isaac nodded.

"I didn't have a chance to thank you for fixing me." Isaac said. Joshua shook his head.

"There is no need. In fact, you have done most of the work. Once I removed the bullet from your flesh, the wounds had already started healing. It was only a matter of keeping you warm and safe while you healed." Joshua explained.

Suddenly, Joshua's watch started beeping, opening a drawer in his desk. He took out an eyedropper from the desk and dropped a few drops into his eyes. After a few seconds, he put the dropper back into his desk.

"Eye infection?" Isaac asked. Joshua shook his head.

"The fire that scarred my body had fused my eyelids open. They have attempted to correct with surgery, but the scar tissue has proven difficult in operating. I use a dropper every so often to keep my eyes from drying out." Joshua explained.

Noting the time, Isaac decided to leave for his temporary home. He had gotten up from his seat, walking towards the door.

"Just remember, Isaac. You're welcome here, anytime. Just please… take better care of yourself." Joshua said. Isaac nodded, before leaving.

Soon, Isaac was walking out of the cathedral, seeing Xorelaz and Vylania's apartment. He quietly made his way back, unlocking the door with the spare key they lent him, Isaac quietly closing and locking the door behind him.

"Hope next warehouse isn't as crazy." Isaac commented, before walking to the couch. Kicking off his shoes, Isaac collapsed onto the couch, feeling himself drift off into slumber.