The citizens of Lescete were forming a large mass of people as they all arrived at what was once the palace. Though most of the palace was intact, there was a large chunk of it missing from the battle. Especially where the archives were, the place where the mysterious monster appeared before being devoured by the Red Angel.

Speaking of the Red angel. Murmurings about the Red Angel were now common throughout the remains of Lescete. Many wondered if they were truly an angel or something else. This day was no different than yesterday as they all talked amongst themselves about yesterday. While amassing nearing a large makeshift podium, created from crates and rubble.

However, when a single individual in golden trimmed steel armor walked upon the podium, they all went silent and stared at the man. After a few seconds, the man removed his helmet and held it at his side. With a loud commanding voice, the man spoke, "People of Lescete, The Order has sent us orders. They are aware of our current situation. They have messaged us and have requested the ablest body commander to lead in the operation."

The man started to gaze at the crowd, "Currently, Captain Mersé and other commanders of the order either have been corrupted or were nearly corrupted and require immense care. Therefore I, commander Capri, will be taking over," He cleared his throat before continuing, "Now for the actual matter at hand. The Order has requested that you all leave Lescete, in a few days, an Order army will arrive to escort you all to the nation of Eleries."

Like fire, a commotion instantly started to spread amongst the crowd. "What? Are we just abandoning Lescete?" Asked one, "What does he mean? We can't just leave. We have a life here." Spoke another, "What sort of people kick their own out after defending them?"

"I know, I know, it will not be easy! However, there is an alternative!" Spoke up Capri, causing the crowd to quiet down as they heard him, "Your alternative is this. You may stay in Lescete and be provided bedding, food, and water. However, you must assist in the rebuilding of Lescete. Every hand that stays must not be idle. And until it is rebuilt, Lescete, or at least what's left of it, will be highly militarized compared to before. There will not be much time for niceties,"

Capri paused once more as he looked around observing the crowd, "I know, these are trying times, and there is doubt in your minds. But I ask you, were you not praying for salvation? For your children to be saved from the wretched fate of corruption? For the ones, you loved to remain human, and pure? And then who arrived? Was it not the red hooded angel who arrived in our hour of need? Does that not show that we still are in God's favor?" Capri stood at attention and saluted, placing his palm over his heart, "God has not abandoned us! Glory to the Order, and to the Chief God!"

And just like that, the crowd erupted into a loud cheer. A smile formed on Capri's face as he put his helmet back on and got off the podium. Two armored men walked next to him, both of them possessing the markings of their rank on their armor. Both were commanders in the Order's forces but they both were a rank underneath him. "What are your orders, sir?" Asked one of the two men.

Capri glanced back as he continued to walk, "I want one of you to search the camp of that harlot, Druella, and the surrounding forest. If there are any monsters left, kill them."

"I assume children as well. Correct?" Asked one of the men.

Capri made a slight scoff at that. "Of course, monsters are monsters no matter their form. We cannot allow a fragment of corruption in our land, or else we will suffer a fate similar to that of Polove."

The man to his left made a slight bow and walked off, presumably to begin the search. The other man continued to follow him, "And what of me, sir?"

Capri stopped and turned to look at the armored man, "You, and your men will begin fortifying what's left of the walls. For now, you will be in charge of defense unless I state otherwise."

The armored man began to walk away before stopping, his voice sounding unsure, "Apologies sir, but what of the king and queen of Lescete? Do they have no say in these matters?"

Capri merely shook his head, "No, and in fact," He leaned in and spoke in a slightly hushed voice. "The Order is doing an investigation. Those whores knew too much about our defenses, they believe we have a mole among us. The Order now is handling this matter personally, and the entire royal family has been put under 'house arrest' until they are proven innocent."

"But, why are they the first suspects, sir?" responded the man now in a hushed voice as well.

"The Order has known the corruption within Lescete for a long time, especially amongst the royal family." Capri looked around for a moment, "Anyone could be a traitor to the Order as far as they know." The man did not ask any more questions. With his curiosity fulfilled, he bowed and hurried off to begin preparing the city's defenses.

Capri turned and continued moving on. suddenly stopped as he thought he heard something, sensed something. It was faint but he swore he sensed it, the demonic energy that mamono naturally radiated.

He looked around, but nothing happened. However, he could still sense it. Slowly and cautiously, Capri moved towards where he sensed the energy.

Stronger and stronger the sensation became as he reached the end of an alleyway, where a stack of boxes were. Then like a predator when they attack their prey, Capri rushed to the other side of the boxes.

However there was nothing there, and the energy he was sending was gone, "Strange," Muttered Capri, "I could have sworn I sensed something."

With that Capri walked back and continued on his way, all the while glancing behind as he did.

Up above the ally on the roof, however, was a lone kunoichi panting heavily as she peered over the rooftop and down where the commander was. "That was close." Panted Yami. She seethed in pain as she grabbed her leg, a blood-stained piece of ripped clothing of Yamis around her leg.

Yami quickly silenced herself as she forced herself off the roof and into another ally, barely avoiding detection from a guard patrolling the roof. She grunted in pain as she landed on the cluttered ground of another alleyway. Yami almost cursed under her breath but restrained herself. Her wounds from that 'bug' were too severe, she wouldn't get far if she tried to leave the city in her state.

Forcing herself to move again, Yami limped her way into a ruined building to hide. With a shaky hand, she slowly undid one of the makeshift bandages she wrapped around her body. When she finished unwrapping one that was around her leg, Yami could see her rotting black flesh.

Trying to endure the pain of her wound being exposed to the air, she quickly ripped off another piece of her clothing and wrapped it around the wound. Replacing the old bloodstained bandage. Yami did this with some of her other bandages as well, but not all. At this point, however, she probably looked like a mummy.

After all that she just sat there, breathing heavily. Yami's disguise spell had worn out and she herself could not afford to use any more magic at this point. And her wounds, that thing did too much of a number on her. She needed medical attention fast.

The only person Yami could think of was Sasha, but she didn't know for certain if the Order had already gotten to her or not. Nor did she think that Sasha would even be where at their meeting place. And besides that, this city was barely recognizable to how it used to be, making it difficult to navigate, especially with all the guards patrolling.

"Sasha, wherein the gods' name are you?" Muttered Yami.

(-)

Like a hive of bees, the people began to take action after Capri's speech. Some began to help in rebuilding Lescete, choosing to stay. Others, however, began to pack their things and wait, choosing to leave.

When it came to the few remaining wealthy members of Lescete, most chose to leave rather than to stay. Not wanting to stay and live like commoners.

But when it came to the poorer members of Lescete, they chose to stay. After all, how could they refuse free food and bedding?

However, there was one person who was undecided. That person was Sasha, as she stared out her window.

Her faith had been renewed that day when she heard of Leacete's salvation. But, now Sasha was at a crossroads. She knew that as a servant of God she had to admit to her crimes, not only to God but to the church. However, Sasha knew that if she did that, she would probably be executed or worse. Not only that but they would seek and most likely murder her mamono orphans.

Despite her realization of the nature of monsters, she still cared for those children. She wouldn't be able to live with herself if any harm came to them because of her.

Sasha was brought out of her thoughts as a knocking sound came from the door. "Yes? Who is it?" Asked Sasha

"Mistress Sasha, uhh, a strange man is here to see you." Came the voice of one of the children.

Sasha took hold of her cane and made her way to the door. "Alright, tell them I'll be right down." replied Sasha as she opened the door.

Slowly down the creaky stairs, she went, holding on to the rails for support. Sasha wondered who it was. Maybe some aspiring hero asking for advice like she has had on other days. Though she didn't know why anyone would have time to visit her now.

When she finally got down the stairs, Sasha almost dropped her cane when she saw who it was. A commander with of the Order

"Hello Sasha," Spoke the man

"Hello...?" Trailed off Sasha, waiting for the man to respond.

"Capri," Spoke the man, making a slight nod towards her.

"Well, Capri, hello. May I invite you to some tea before we discuss whatever you came here for?"

Sasha was about to tell one of the children to get some tea ready but Capri stopped her, "No, sorry. I believe it would be best if we talked now," Capri gestured towards the door, "Please let us discuss this... elsewhere."

Without a word, Sasha got what he meant. Silently she left the orphanage as Capri followed behind her. Sasha would have been walking faster if it weren't for her current condition.

After a few moments of awkward silence as they walked, Sasha broke the silence, "So, what was it you came to see me for."

"Sasha, even though you do not know me, I have respected your work as a hero and servant to God. that is why I am going to ask nicely, are you or do you know anyone that helped the monsters into Lescete?" Spoke Capri as suddenly two soldiers came out of the alleyways. Both walking next to Sasha and Capri.

Sasha looked at Capri, her head down a little, "This is an interrogation, isn't it?

"Only if you make it so."

'Why now?' thought Sasha to herself. She wasn't ready to decide, but now she was in a corner. If she refused to answer, things probably would become far worse. Both for her and others. Sasha stopped after a few steps and turned to look at Capri, "Before I tell you... Could you please give me your word, as both a man and a commander? To be merciful, and to be patient?" Asked Sasha.

"May I ask to what-"

Sasha interjected, her eyes giving a look that could kill, "Give me your word first."

Capri spoke, raising his hand as if to get her to calm down, "Alright, you have my word-"

Once again Sasha interjected. Her voice making her sound far stronger than she actually was. "Not just your word, the word of those two men with us as well."

If she could have seen his face, Sasha was sure she would have seen a deep scowl. However, to her surprise, Capri remained calm. He glanced at the two men and they both nodded to him. Capri looked back at Sasha and replied, "Yes, their word as well."

Sasha raised her voice, every fiber of her being making her look like the chief God's personal champion, "I want to hear it for myself."

Both of the men looked at each other, both hesitant to verbally make their decision. Eventually, they made their decision "You have my word." Spoke one.

"And mine." Spoke the other.

"Alright, now if you are finished, will you please tell us what you know?" A cold sweat went down Sasha's forehead, her heart pounding in her chest rapidly with uncertainty and fear, "Well?" Spoke Capri, forcing Sasha out of her indecision.

Sasha was too far in now to stop, and she had to face her crimes. She could not betray the Order again, she could not betray God now. Not after the miracle that had happened to Lescete. "I... Could you please come back tomorrow? I need some time first before I am ready to tell you."

She could tell Capri was giving her a confused look, even with his helmet on, "So we walked out here for a private conversation, for nothing?"

"I know it is odd, but please. You gave me your word, you would be patient." Spoke up Sasha.

"And...that I did." Spoke Capri with hesitation, "Very well, we will be back tomorrow morning. I hope you give us an actual response." Capri silently gestured to the two men and they walked off. Sasha's heart pounding as they walked by, in fear of them snapping in some way at any moment. Or in that, they might not truly be of their word.

It did not stop pounding as she slowly made her way back. When she finally made it back to the orphanage, Sasha quickly closed the door behind her and leaned on the door, breathing heavily. One of the children walked up to her, "Miss Sasha? Are you alright?"

Sasha put on a fake smile and placed her hand on the child's shoulder, "Yes, I am quite alright. You don't need to worry about anything. If anyone needs me, I'll be in my room."

The child spoke loudly, giving a slight pout, "But Miss Sasha, it's almost supper time! I'm super starving!"

Sasha would have gotten on the child's case of their rude manners but currently, she wasn't exactly in a good mood to do it, "It is? Oh, I suppose it is. Alright, if you're so hungry, why don't you help me make dinner for tonight?"

(-)

Tick...tock...tick...tock

Druella awoke to the sound of the clock again. and once again her eyes opened to stare blankly at the ceiling.

She knew it had been less than a week since she had gotten into this predicament. For the past two days, she was stuck to this bed, unable to move, unable to do anything.

Druella had asked herself time and time again, why did this happen? Was there any way that things could have been different? And who was that monster that did this to her?

Her questions however, would haft to wait as Druella soon heard someone knocking on her door. "Come in," groaned Druella.

Cellis then entered the room, the door making a slight creaking noise as it opened.

Druella expected Cellis to say something but she didn't. A worried look on her face as she sat next to Druella.

"Well, what is it Cellis?" asked Druella

Cellis hesitated for a moment before speaking, "I went to your allies, the 'radicals' as some call them, and asked for their servitude and loyalty to you, as you commanded me to. But..." Cellis paused.

"But what?" Asked Druella

"They said they have no loyalty to a murderer." Those words, those words hit Druella hard. A small tear went down her eye.

No one would support her, no one would trust her anymore, she was a failure to them all. Even to her most loyal followers.

Druella felt Cellis' cold and slimy hand grab her hand, "I am sorry, I tried my best to convince them. I have failed you." Spoke Cellis. Even with how little emotion was in the voice, Druella could tell she meant it. And it was a comfort to her.

"Thank you. I know you tried." Spoke Druella in a hushed voice. Another tear going down her eye.

For a few moments, Cellis just sat there, as if unsure of what to do next. Eventually, however, she got up. "I will be back with a mana potion for you." Spoke Cellis as she then walked out of the room, closing the door behind her.

Druella could only watch as Cellis left, of course, what else would she be able to do? For the first time in her life, Druella had nothing. She had no plan, no goal. Nothing. And she felt so powerless.

And she hated it.

(-)

The wind blew by the trees, birds chirped, and animals of all kinds lived their lives as they usually did. Prey being taken by the predator, and prey escaping a predator. All is as it should have been.

But at the sound of loud footsteps, all the creatures stopped what they were doing before retreating into the shadows of the trees and plant life to hide. All of them sensing the danger of the being approaching.

Gael dragged his old blade across the ground, leaving behind a trail of dirt as the blade dug into the ground. Gael pulled out his map and restudied it. He remembered what that figure told him. Granted he didn't fully understand what they meant but, he really didn't have a choice at this point. Though, why was she still around? Gael swore that he saw her die. Anyway...

They had told him to go to the shore first, and that was precisely what he was going to do. If the map was correct, the best path would be to go a little ways north-west for a while from that city he had just been to. which he was now going.

Pain suddenly surged in Gael's arm as he held the map for a while. Quickly he put the map away and stopped using that hand. Slowly the pain left to his relief, but he could still faintly feel it there. He should have known better to not have used that hand since just like his chest, the wound there would never heal. It was only through of the Dark's power that the pain would be gone.

Gael moved onward through the forest, which thankfully was not as bad as the previous forest had gone through. He could actually see what was in front of him. But really, why was that blasted forest so heavy? Never in his life were trees so compact. Oh well, atleast he was out of that forest. Gael could only hope those children were alright.

As Gael wandered in his mind, every once in a while something caught Gael's eye. Sometimes it was a flower or a herb of some kind, though all of them looked foreign to him. One time he spotted a group of dark mushrooms, and he was actually going to take them until he noticed how they pulsed as if it had a heartbeat. Excluding the mushrooms, he collected any form of floral he saw, hoping to eventually try and make that stew he heard about.

This time, however, it was something that didn't look like anything Gael had seen before. It was a strange heart-shaped looking fruit, with pink skin. Plucking it off the plant itself, Gael looked at the fruit itself that was in his hands. It felt oddly smooth in his rotting dead hand.

Gael felt something and looked to his left to see dear drooling as it stared at the fruit in his hand. At first, he thought the thing had rabies or something, but that soon changed as he noted it followed the fruit in his hands. When he moved it above his head, the dear looked up. and if he moved it to his far left, the dear followed it.

Must have been a delicacy if even a dear acted like that, or at least that's what Gael thought. With one hand, Gael ripped in half the fruit and let one of the two halves fall onto the ground.

Like the hungry animal it was, It went straight to the piece of fruit on the ground and eat it faster than a hungry knight of Catarina. Making the decision to keep moving on, Gael walked away and continued moving towards what he thought was the right direction.

As he walked through the forest with no form of danger insight, he couldn't help but get lost in his mind again. He wondered with the children in the forest if it truly was best to have tied those men up. Or if he should have just dragged them away a bit further and flat out killed them. Oh well, he made his choice, and that was that.

"Uh, excuse me." Came a feminine voice. Gael immediately stopped dead in his tracks and turned to look at where the voice came from. Strange, he didn't notice all these flowers in the forest. Save for the Ringed City, he had never seen so many flowers all in one place. Even more so it was odd he didn't notice the person before him.

Before Gael was an odd-looking woman with green skin, her upper body sticking out of what seemed like a giant flower. The main thing however was the fact she was hardly wearing anything, which Gael found even odder. "Yes?" Asked Gael, his voice sounding like an old door that hadn't been oiled in a long time.

There was fear in the woman's eyes, Gael could tell, but she did a remarkable job at pretending she wasn't, "I don't know who you are, but you've scared off all the animals, and you're ruining my flowers! So could you please leave?" Spoke the woman.

Gael turned away and replied as he kept walking, "I already am."

He didn't get far, however, as the woman soon noticed the strange fruit in his hand. "Wait! Is that a prisoner's fruit?" The woman pointed to the fruit Gael was holding, "Can I ask why you have that?"

Gael looked at the fruit in his hand. Prisoners fruit, so that's what it is called. Strange name for a fruit. He looked back at the green woman, "I am trying to...make... something."

"Oh, so your cooking something? If that's the case how about we make a trade?" Before Gael could reply she turned around, doing something. Of what Gael could not tell. Eventually, though she turned around holding some sort of bottle with yellow liquid, and a strange humanoid-shaped cap. "How about you give me a piece of that, and I will give you this? I bet it will really add to whatever your making."

Gael looked down at the pink fruit in his hand and thought for a moment. in the end, he decided it wouldn't hurt. So, with his thumb, he split half of the fruit into half and tossed one of the pieces to the woman.

She quickly grabbed it before a weird look came on her face, "Thank you, me and my husband are going to love what I make with this." she stopped before looking at Gael, "Oh right the nectar, wait you'll probably need a bag."

If the woman could see his face, it would be of slight confusion, "I already have a few satchels, there is no need."

"Well if you're going to be out and about, collecting a lot of materials, you're going to need something a bit bigger to carry all the stuff you'll need." Quickly replied the woman.

the woman disappeared once again before returning with a small pouch. In no time she handed the bag to Gael. "Don't worry the nectar is in the bag." Spoke the woman

Gael checked the bag and just as the mamono said, the bottle was in there. With a sigh, Gael put what was left of the fruit in the bag.

"Thank you!" spoken the mamono.

Gael almost continued to leave, however, he needed to be sure of where he was. putting aside the bag and pulling out his map, Gael went back to the mamono.

"Before I... leave, could you show me where I currently am?" Spoke Gael as he turned to show her the map, unintentionally causing his shadow to loom over her. The mamono gulped for a moment as Gael could see the fear in her eyes not only reappearing, but growing. Which Gael was not surprised at.

"Uh, sure...Let's see here..." the mamono trailed off as she studied the map. "Wow you have one expensive map, it's even coloured. Anyway." The mamono then placed her finger near the upper right of the map in a forested area. Looking at it, it seemed Gael had crossed borders and was halfway to shore from the city he was at. "Right here, almost right at the border between Lescete and Polove."

Gael took the map back, almost ripping it out of the women's hand unintentionally, "I see, thank you."

"No, thank you! My husband is going to love what I'm going to be cooking up tonight!" Yelled the mamono as Gael began to walk away. Gael didn't look back however, he had to get going. Judging by the setting sun that could be seen faintly from beneath the trees that is.

Perhaps he should find someplace of rest, gods know he needs it. Funny that he was even thinking there would be any gods left, they were all dead after all.

(-)

Amongst the many realms, there was one that was unique. This was a grey endless landscape with only one singular building within it. This building, though being the only one, was a palace made by the original chief god. This realm was known as purgatory, a neutral realm amongst the gods. Once a testing realm for the afterlifes, it was now just a mostly empty void.

As life in the realm, however, there were only the stone angels. These creatures, made by the old chief god, did not run on or require mana of any kind, which was a mystery to the gods. Their appearance was even stranger though. Even stranger, these stone angels looked like male varients of the Valkyrie's, except clad in even more armour to the point of only their wings being shown. Same as well for their faces when they were not in combat.

What they defended and served though, was not the gods, but the realm itself. If two beings were ever to fight in purgatory, even if they were gods, the stone angels would put a stop to it. Even though the gods could defeat them all if they worked together, they still knew the stone angels could heavily injure them.

As for their reproduction, however, they did not possess the parts and we're finite. Nor did they have any interest in such. Eros found out the hard way when she sent one of her Houri to seduce a stone angel. There was nothing left of that poor angel. Next, Eros tried to have one of her Cupids, but the arrows broke in half upon contact and the cupid soon suffered the same fast as the Houri. In a last ditch effort to see if they could recruit them, The fallen god had one of her dark valkyries try and pour in a load of demonic energy on them. It did nothing, though atleast the dark valkyrie lasted a few seconds before being nothing but red paste.

Other than that, they were basically statues. Unmoving, devoid of any signs of life. They weren't even breathing. It was like those human grave yards filled with statues of angels, but without the graves and no one visited. Many who visited Purgatory found it generally unsettling. However, unlike most days in purgatory, which was absolutely nothing happening, something happened.

Within the neutral realm, purgatory, the gods gathered around the grey table within the almost empty realm. Countless ages passed since they last met here. Before the current chief god, the gods would meet here regularly. None of the gods thought they would ever return to the dead realm, but once again a meeting was called by the dull bells of purgatory and the gods responded.

First was Hel, the one who had called for the meeting. Then was the fallen god as she arrived through a dark portal that seemed to cause time and space to twist and distort around it. Then Poseidon, as she rose from a puddle of water that suddenly appeared from the ground.

Next Ares arrived through a red portal of her own, behind it one could see a tournament of some kind was taking place between the angels of Ares.

Then an arrow with the head shaped like a heart, and in a burst of pink light, Eros appeared.

A small cat then arrived and walking into the building. And with a meow, it formed into Bestet.

A small trickle of wine seemed to appear out of nowhere, as it trickled into the room slowly. Until the wine itself rose and formed into Bacchus.

And finally, with the sound of a hammer hitting the anvil, Hephasteus appeared as sparks flew around him.

"Thank you for all arriving." Spoke Hel in a respectful tone, gesturing for everyone to sit on the thrones around the ancient table. Each one designed for each of the gods. One by one, all of the thrones were filled, save for one.

Hephaestus pointed to the empty golden throne, "Yeah, except for the chief god."

The fallen god made a quick glance at the throne before look at Hephaestus, "As you 'neutral' gods know well, they are still recovering and cannot be here. As for us who support the mamono, none of us here would want them here."

A small scowl appeared on the bearded face of Hephaestus, "I wasn't talking to ya."

"As much as I am a god of war. Could we please discuss why you actually requested our presence, Hel?" Spoke Ares, agitated, her arms crossed as her divine sword laid at her side.

Hel cleared her throat as she stood, "Yes, thank you, Ares. Now if we are all in agreement to start, this meeting will now begin." With a wave of her hand, Hel created a portal that showed the world as it orbited in the void of space. "Now before we get too far I must explain some things."

The portal zoomed in on the area of Lahara desert as Hel continued, "Almost a year ago, Lahara was a flourishing desert of mamono. Soon to become a demon realm. However, out of nowhere, a storm formed above the entire region. It lasted for about a week or so until it dissipated, and... not one living thing was left in the desert. Not even its Pharaoh was alive."

A look of surprise came upon some of the gods. However, most already knew about this from Hel before. "But uh, Didnsht yoush sensed all that death? Couldn't it havesh been turned to uhh, what'hss it called, an undead demon realm or something?" Slurred Bacchus before hogging down more wine from her divine chalice.

"Like I said to you all before. I was not able to descend through the storm, and their souls were gone. As if someone took their souls before they could pass on."

Bacchus stopped drinking for a moment and gave a dumb look, "Well, you didshnt tell me thish before."

Hel groaned as she placed her hand on her face, "Because every time I tried to get your attention you were...not there, to put it lightly."

Bastet, purred as she licked her paw like a cat, "Nyah, when is she ever?"

"Says the one obsessed with cats." Retorted Bacchus.

All of the gods were in awkward silence after that. The only actual sound within the void was Bacchus drinking loudly from her chalice the provided never ending wine. Eventually, Hel continued, "Anyway, something very similar happened again in Lescete." The portal then went to Lescete. "For some reason, the humans were spared, but on the mamono side only Druella survived."

"Oi, washnt that when my chalice started acting up? Worse wine I eversh had, burned my throat all the waysh down! Tashted like rotting flesh or somehing. Speaking of wine, those humans sometimes to about blood wine or somshing, I wondar wot it taistes like... never had it myself.." Bacchus trailed off in her one sided conversion, and eventually Hel and the other gods started to completely ignore her.

"That is...horrible, but did you not have Lescete's fate to be a mamono victory?" Spoke Poseidon with a look of grief. She was almost as bad as Hel when it came to the loss of life. It was even worse for Poseidon when she was forced to watch as the ocean consumed the lives of others against her will.

"I agree with you on how terrible it is, Poseidon, but that is why I asked you all here," The portal then went to a part of Polove, near the border dividing it from Lescete, "Both I and my servants are able to sense death. For the longest time in search of this being, we were unable to sense the reak of death this unknown entity should have been possessing. However, now we can sense what we believe to be it. Though it is still a bit faint, we know it is somewhere here in Polove and is heading straight for the sea."

"I say we flank this thing from all sides. Get rid of this thing before it causes any more damage." Spoke Ares.

All of the gods looked at each other when Ares said that. Some of them were not exactly the fighting type while others nodded in agreement. And Bacchus did not care in the slightest, drinking another round of wine. The fallen god just sat there, however, in thought. Eventually, she spoke up, causing the other gods to look at her, "How about, we wait till this entity reaches the ocean."

"What are you suggesting?" Asked Hel.

"I am suggesting that Poseidon deals with it. Anyone fighting her in her element is basically suicide." As the fallen god said that she turned to look at Poseidon dead in the eyes.

Poseidon gave a look of disbelief at her ally, "Are you suggesting that I... that I kill this entity?"

"Yes."

Her grip around her trident tightened, anger in her voice. She rose up straight and pointed her trident as Hel "I left to support the mamono cause because I was tired of being ordered to kill! I hate killing! And yet you are telling me to kill this 'entity'!?" The stone angels came to life. In less than a second drew out their weapons, tension rising within the meeting room.

"Think of it this way. If we all attack this thing, or even just two of us at once, the crossfire will kill far more lives than on the ocean. Even if it is a swift and easy victory."

Poseidon raised her voice. She did not want to kill, she would do anything to avoid death. Even back then when she followed orders, she hated killing, "Can we not just corrupt this being?!"

Eros rose as well, coming to Poseidon's defense, "Or maybe we could show this 'entity' love and make it docile somehow?"

The fallen god looked at both Eros and Poseidon, "I do not think it would do much," The fallen god focused again on Poseidon, "Besides, aren't those eldritch gods you spared by sealing away still desiring the same goal, even with the current demon lord? Who is to say it would cease its rampage?" Spoke the fallen god. Poseidon could not think of a good response to that, "Besides, remember what happened when Lescete fell? If that being can cause us to lose control of our gifts, then it would cause more harm than good if kept alive."

Poseidon gritted her teeth. As much as she disagreed with it, the fallen god was right, and she hated it. Looking around, she saw that the stone angels were tightening the grip around their weapons, looking as though they were about to attack at a moment's notice. Hesitantly she lowered her weapon and sat down, "Fine, I'll do it, even if my conscious is telling me otherwise. But only this once."

All of the stone angels saw this and reverted into their lifeless, statue-like positions. Hel seeing that the issue was resolved, stood up and looked about the room at each one of the gods, "All in agreement?"

"Aye," spoke all the gods save for Poseidon, "All apposed?" None of the gods spoke to that, signifying the end.

"Then this meeting is over. Poseidon shall deal with our current problem. Until then we all shall be watching Poseidon," One by one all the gods left to go back to their business. Until it was just Poseidon and Hel, "It is up to you to end the bloodshed. Do not fail us."

With that Hel left. Leaving Poseidon alone with the unmoving stone angels in purgatory.

(-)

Sasha sighed as she closed the door to her room behind her. The children were all now in bed, and now it was her turn to rest. Though she should have been resting today, but duties were duties. No matter how much the children had begged for her to rest for the day, she couldn't just stop.

Before actually going to bed, however, she had to do one final thing. Turning to her alter to the chief god, she began to pray again. "Lord, I already have asked for your forgiveness, but I feel that I must admit my crimes to your Order. But I cannot pull myself to do it. I cannot just abandon those children, even if they are monsters. Please, I need your help."

CLANG*

Sasha turned sharply to hear what the sound was, only to see her window open and a wounded mamono. "Yami!" Spoke Sasha as she instinctively rushed to Yami, lending her hand to help Yami up. "How did you even find me here? We have never met here before."

Yami groaned in pain as she got up, before looking up at Sasha, "I know, but you pray awfully loud."

"Sit here, please. Let me see those wounds," Spoke Sasha with concern, leading Yami to an old wooden chair. With the groaning of the chair, Yami sat down, and Sasha began to unwrap the bandages. Sasha gagged from both the smell and the wounds she saw. Never in her life did she see such severe wounds and the person still be alive. In fact, Sasha could swear that she could see a small bit of bone in one of her wounds. Yami seethed in agony as the bandages were unwrapped, "Sorry."

"It's ok...just...gah...heal me!" Yelled Yami in pain.

"Alright, just keep it down," Sasha went to her drawer and pulled out a stick wrapped in leather. Sasha handed it to Yami, "Ok, place this in your mouth and bite down. This is going to hurt, a lot." Sasha grabbed Yami's hand and began to cast healing magic, "God give me strength," Muttered Sasha under her breath.

The moment the magic began to do its work, Yami grunted in pain. Trying hard to hold it in as she bit down on what Sasha gave her. Sasha herself felt like her hand was being crushed as Yami squeezed it with all her might.

Bit by bit the missing parts of flesh was restored, and the infected and rotten flesh dissipated. Until Yami suddenly stopped squeezing Sasha hand and went limp. Sasha could tell that Yami had passed out from the pain, but her work was not done. It took a long while for Sasha to fully heal Yami's body, even longer with the fact Sasha had to take a breather halfway.

Eventually, Sasha finished the healing and collapsed onto the ground, breathing hard as if she ran a marathon. Now that it was over, Sasha didn't know for certain what to do next. She couldn't just let Yami sit there unconscious, and Sasha would feel terrible if she just slept in the bed instead of her. Sasha sighed, "Guess I won't be sleeping in a bed for tonight."

Getting up, Sasha lifted Yami by the arms, "Why in the world are you so...heavy, Yami?" Grunted Sasha as she heaved Yami onto the bed.

Sasha was exhausted, both physically and now, spiritually. Maybe it wasn't the best idea to heal Yami in her state, but too late now. Besides, Yami state was not a matter she could ignore even in her own current state. Sitting down on the same wooden chair, Sasha watched over Yami.

Yami seemed so at peace to Sasha as she laid there, like one of the children, without any troubles. Speaking of troubles, there was still the matter with her mamono children. She didn't know what to do, maybe Yami could do it? What was she saying? Even with how short their meetings were, Sasha had some idea of what Yami would do next. Most likely she would just leave before Sasha could wake up, making it impossible for her to ask for help.

Though, now that she thought of it, there might be away. Getting up, Sasha went to her desk and pulled out both a sheet of paper and a quill. Quickly she jotted down what she intended to tell Yami, folded, and gently placed it into one of the pouches of Yami's belt.

That was probably what she could do, or at least that was all she could think of. Though at first, she thought of going out to the children, Sasha had her suspicion she would be followed by Capri and his men. Sasha could only have faith that Yami would notice the note and do as she asked.

Sitting down again next to Yami, Sasha began to fall asleep. Slowly drifting into a dream.

(-)

A flock of were bats hid in the corner all cowering in fear of Gael's bonfire. He found their squealing annoying, but Gael decided to ignore it. It took Gael ages to find some equipment to actually cook something. Thankfully there was an old ruin home he came upon. Sadly, there was hardly anything left of the building to act as shelter. So, he was in another cave again.

To be honest, he was getting tired of caves, and it didn't help as those bat creatures kept whimpering.

Gael stopped cooking what was in the small pot he had above his bonfire. Using the rusty old spoon he found at the ruined home, Gael took a sip of the soup he made from those ingredients he collected. Gael let the soup sit in his mouth for a moment or two, waiting to taste something. But nothing. Save for a faint after-taste that tasted like rotting wood.

He swallowed and sighed in disappointment as he then dumped the soup, "Well, at least I know that those ingredients won't do any good."

(-)

There was no light within the chamber, not a speck of it. And the only sound was that of metal being dragged across the floor, and deep breathing. Then the sound of metal dragging suddenly stopped. Then from the darkness, a voice spoke, "Your name... I... cannot remember your name. No, no..." A loud thud echoed across the room. The voice began to choke up, despair and grief resonating in it, "I am... sorry... Forgive me..."

...

"Forgive me..."

...

"Forgive...me..."

...

"Forgive..."

...

"Me..."