"Now, where did I put that thing…" Auntie Shrew grumbled as she looked through the shelves and cabins of her bedroom.

Elizabeth Brisby stood with her coral red maxi dress with long sleeves and the skirt reaching below her knees. Pair of light gloves fit her slim fingers, her small feet were covered with ankle-length heeled boots, legs shaped by a pair of black stockings. Waiting by the doorway of her aunt's room as her three children were watching with curious eyes. Jeremy peeked as well, wondering what the middle aged aunt was looking for. After what happened in the morning, there has been a conclusion that the problem with moving the house and the condition of Timothy needed to be handled carefully and swiftly.

"A-ha! Found it!" She triumphed as her hand held a train ticket.

"Auntie, those tickets…." Elizabeth gazed at them.

"I kept them for a while," Sue replied, "here, at the sixth stop. You'll be able to find that old cathedral. Around 15 minutes walking from the sixth station's 4th gate."

Mrs. Brisby gazed at the tickets, memorizing which stop she should be at.

"Don't get mixed up… the train these days doesn't come and go for no less than an hour." her aunt warned.

"I understand, auntie…"

"And DON'T talk to the men of the city… no one else!" Auntie Shrew insisted, tone stern.

"I promise…" Elizabeth nodded.

"And as for you," Auntie Shrew pointed her finger at Jeremy, "make sure not a single physical contact of filthy man on my niece."

Jeremy immediately saluted, standing straight with an affirmative nod. Normally, he'd offer the widow a flight with himself in the form of a large crow. However, he gave in as Elizabeth has fear of heights. In addition, the world was still cautious around magical beings as the war had recently ended. It is why Jeremy couldn't transform into an enormous crow to give her a ride to the cathedral. Well, at least during the daytime.

"Teresa, Martin," Elizabeth turned to her eldest children, "stay with Auntie, Timmy and Cynthia."

The firstborn and second-born nodded firmly. The mother's gaze softened to hear a whine from Timothy's bedroom as her second son groaned again begging her to stay. Teresa and Martin entered the source of their brother's cry and started calming him. The crow spirit led Elizabeth out of the Brisby home, started their journey to the station.

It wasn't a long walk, but she was greeted by good neighbors who had heard of the Brisby family leaving the town. Some wished them good luck, while some expressed how they wished Elizabeth and her children stayed longer if it weren't for unpleasant people like the Fitzgibbons or Drago Welker. Nonetheless, these people who have grown attached to a shy widow wanted the best for her and her family. Some of the children from Teresa and Martin's local school asked her if they won't be seeing either one of them again. Despite the close bond the students had, they couldn't pry further as Elizabeth promised them her children could visit. Some townsfolk offered to see her off to the station to go to the city, or wherever she goes to seek help from.

"I'll be with your aunt and children, too." The head seamstress spoke, holding her hand in motherly manner, "return safely."

"Thank you…" Elizabeth made a small smile.

"If that damn Billy Fitzgibbons or Drago Welker bother again, we'll keep their hands off of your house." The dairy farmer shouted.

Jeremy turned his attention to the railroad, sensing the arrival of the train. No less than a minute, the train arrived until it stopped and doors opened for passengers.

"Train's here, Mrs. Briz. Let's go." Jeremy smiled at her.

Elizabeth nodded as she entered the train with him, waving to several. Seeing the train attendant checking tickets from each passenger, she brought out hers and gave it to the attendant. The male attendant counted briefly before nodding in approval and politely gestured to her and Jeremy to take their seat. Mrs. Brisby thanked the attendant before getting on the passenger seat close to the window as Jeremy sat next to her, glanced around the area for he had never taken a ride on a train before.

'Sixth stop…,' Elizabeth chanted to herself, 'the 4th gate.'

First stop was a neighboring town. Several passengers, two men and three women grabbed their luggages and left the train.

Second stop was a port town. One girl of Desi descent with a bag got off.

Third…fourth…fifth… and Elizabeth remained restless, her blue eyes paying attention to the window.

Two minutes passed, and the voice of the female attendant announced the arrival of the sixth stop. The city station.

"Jeremy. We're here…" She gently nudged the crow spirit who was just about to fall asleep.

After hastily waking him up, Elizabeth got off from the train and her wide eyes were glancing around the city station. Four stairs were on the north, south, east and west. Both sides for passengers to walk up and down. Each entrance had a number above.

The 1st Gate would lead to the city square and the city hall.

The 2nd Gate leads to the road where bigger schools take place.

The 3rd Gate connects to the public areas such as shopping streets, restaurants or other shops.

The 4th Gate is where the park took place. The chapel was a couple of blocks away from a huge recreational area. But pass it, there would be the graveyard. And after that graveyard is where the Goetia Cathedral is found.

Despite the approximate 15 minutes of distance, the sky was already growing dark concerning both the crow spirit and a widowed mother.

"Well, the fastest way to go through there…, I'm sorry, ma'am.."
Before she could ask, Jeremy held her up and took a huge leap up in the air before springing his pair of black feathered wings and flew straight ahead, causing the widow to yelp and hold onto him tightly.

"Jeremy…!" She squeaked in fright.

"I know, I know you don't like heights… but it's better to get there soon." He held her still as his wings flapped steadily yet fast.

"I don't know how I let this happen…!" She couldn't look away from down below.

Thankfully, the flight to the Goetia Cathedral wasn't long as he landed safely before putting her down. A rather tall, ancient architecture befitting a house of monotheistic teaching. Bitterly, there were parts of wounds the building retained that were caused by war.

As they took several steps closer to the gate, it automatically opened. As if an unseen force pushed them out. Elizabeth made a small gasp hearing a howling from far at the secluded forest. Another factor why this cathedral was barren, was because of other nonhumans residing close by, causing the citizens to avoid.

"...h-hello…?" Elizabeth called out.

Chill went through the spine as she heard a deep, aged and raspy voice of a man rang through the hall of the cathedral.

"Come inside…or leave."

As if the century has been since the visit, cobwebs were adorning the edge of gates, walls and corners of floor. Candlelights dimly gleamed.

"Timothy…," inhaled, she sighed, "remember Timothy."

Mrs. Brisby entered. Stain glasses displaying stories of ancient figures; angels and devils stood both sides with piercing gazes down. Statues of saints praying. She paused as she heard the gate closed and the tall, broad man with white hair stood in front of her. Pair of golden eyes flashed despite the black scleras.

"...The Great Owl… the pope… mister Stolas…, that must be you…" Elizabeth stuttered, nervous.

"Why have you come here…" his eyes narrowed a bit.

Slowly, she got on her knees. Her hands clasped together despite them shaking with increasing fear. Her sapphire eyes gazing up at him.

"Please… f-forgive me, for disturbing you…," she began with a trembling voice, "but, my son… he's in great danger."

Several apparitions with disturbing movements crawled up the walls and ceilings, approaching her undetected. Licking their lips hungrily. Before they could approach closer, the pope glared up, his eyes glowed brighter causing the demonic beings to be petrified. Elizabeth briefly turned to see the demise of the creatures, appalled.

"I…, our house belonged to my husband…, but we had to leave the town. The only concern I have… is my son, he is growing very ill…possibly dying…," she turned her frightened gaze back to the pope, "please, sir…there must be a way. I'd do anything for my boy…anything…"

She blinked the tears from her eyes, ready to grasp on any chance in saving her family.

"My children… they're the only ones I have…and the house, which my husband Jonathan left to us."

Stolas' eyes widened at the mention of her late husband's name. Jonathan? He tilted his head slowly.

"Jonathan…? As in…, Jonathan Brisby?" He got on one knee, to take a closer look at the vulnerable visitor.

"Y-yes…I'm his widow…E-Elizabeth," she nodded, yet the bewilderment replaced the fear and devastation in her eyes, "how…do you know my husband…?"

His eyebrows furrowed even more. So, she doesn't know. He sighed. Jonathan was a man of mystery, leaving the riddles and questions behind even when he passed away. The cause of his death remained a mystery, as well. He recalled his last conversation with his close friend, the wise man of secret community, of how the late Jonathan kept his family's existence veiled from the eyes of his people.

"I can say this… his name is NEVER unknown in this country," The pope gravely responded, "...but, there is a way to save your family."

Elizabeth's head perked up, hope evident in her face.

"I am sure you have encountered your husband's acquaintances from his funeral…. His people. Go to them…"

Mrs. Brisby remembered a rather depressing encounter with "comrades" of her late husband. Majority were soldiers, some were council members of whom he worked for, and their senior leader of the community who had the same golden eyes as the pope. Nicodemus.

"Ask for Nicodemus. And his people's assistance. You will see them in their bund, pass your town's forest." Stolas added.

"But, how can they help…?"

"With his power, their power, the IM-Humans can move your house."

Mrs. Brisby blinked her eyes. Moving her house? A big manor? That sounded impossible. However, after witnessing what Jeremy could do, she decided to believe more.

"With your late husband's possessions, Nicodemus' power…and his people's strength… they have ways." The pope who goes by the epithet the Great Owl concluded.

"I…can't comprehend, but I'll do as you say." Elizabeth bowed her head.

His hand reached out and touched her head.

Warm.

Comforting.

"Remember…the Bund."

And the next thing, Elizabeth found herself outside of the cathedral. The gate remained closed. As if she was sent back to the time before the gate opened. Third time she had witnessed what people have referred to as magic, but she had a feeling it won't be the last of her lifetime.

"Mrs. Briz?" Jeremy went to her, "what did he say?"

She remained still for several seconds before turning to face him.

"He said…I must go see Nicodemus and his people." she answered.

"Oh! The alchemist, the prophet," Jeremy nodded in understanding, then blinked, "...but where?"

Her head turned up, facing the night decorated with vibrant dots of stars shining bright as hope bloomed through her face.

"...the Bund."