The giant took a sip of his coffee before looking at the aegir right next to him. The young woman did not seem particularly talkative. Then Sebastian had invited her to take a hot drink in a mini-market in the surrounding area. She had a cup of tea and the two of them sat down to watch the rain fall in the middle of the night.

Sebastian: So how did you find me?

?: By luck.

...

Sebastian: Not much of a talker, eh?

?: No.

Sebastian: And what brings an aegir to Lungmen?

?: I'm a bounty hunter. I was here for a job.

Sebastian: Oh. And your target?

She turned her head towards him.

?: You.

The giant broke out in a cold sweat. Aegir, white hair, red eyes, and what appeared to be extreme strength...

He didn't feel like fighting like he did with Specter. Not in the middle of Lungmen...

Sebastian: I bought you a drink so can you wait until I finish my coffee before you hit me...?

The aegir looked at him without the slightest hint of emotion.

?: I give up on this contract.

Sebastian: I don't think I asked you your name?

?: Skadi.

He took another sip of his coffee.

Skadi: And you? Your name?

Sebastian: Doctor Sebastian at your service.

The aegir seemed surprised.

Skadi: Is your first name doctor?

Sebastian looked at her, frowning.

Sebastian: No... My first name is Sebastian, doctor is a title...

Skadi: Oh... And your last name?

Sebastian: I'll keep it to myself for now.

The giant sighed and finished his cup of coffee before throwing it in a trash can across the street. One of his stupid ritual was about his family name, leaving it to know only for those he considered close to him.

Sebastian: I don't say it easily.

Skadi: And you? Why are you in Lungmen?

Sebastian: There are certain things that prevent me from leaving. Right now I'm chasing a triad that is bleeding the city dry.

Skadi: Led by another man, raceless, white hair, red eyes?

The giant was surprised to hear about Phobos.

Sebastian: Exactly.

Skadi: It was him who asked me to kill you. I knew he didn't look trustworthy.

She said as she finished her tea.

The giant cracked his neck before moving away a little. Deciding to burst the abscess.

Sebastian: You know a certain Laurentina?

The aegir widened her eyes and crushed her cardboard cup turning abruptly towards the giant. Her face showed a lot of emotions this time. Worry. Fear. Anger.

Skadi: Laurentina?! Where is she?!

The young woman grabbed the giant's collar and Sebastian could see that she did have extraordinary strength.

Sebastian: She is a patient on Rhodes Island. Her condition is special. Let go of me and let me explain.

The aegir hesitated and released her grip on the giant.

Sebastian: She's been here for eight months on Rhodes Island. They found her in the desert with amnesia and near death from dehydration. Once out of critical condition she slaughtered a dozen doctors and guards before being put to sleep. And sometimes her seizures would start again.

Skadi: But what happened to her?

Sebastian: I was able to gather some information. She seems to have been captured by a sect from Iberia and Aegir who experimented on her. That's how she developed oripathy. Her brain stem is quite damaged by this, and that's what causes most of the problems.

Skadi: Most of it?

Sebastian: Her mind and soul are shattered. Pulverized by the same kind of god as in that nightmare we shared. She has amnesia, violent outbursts of anger, and deep down she is in turmoil and fear.

The aegir bowed her head.

Skadi: What can we do to fix this?

The giant took a deep breath and began to let out what little psychic influence he had. Quickly, Skadi turned to him, sensing his mind and something peculiar within it.

Skadi: This is so strange... So...

Sebastian: So familiar? I exchanged a fragment of my soul with her. It helped her a lot. But that solution is still to glue together the parts of a broken mirror.

Skadi: I have to see her...

Sebastian: I want to, believe me. Anything I can do to make her feel better, I'll do, but the problem is, I can't. I can't get you home. I can't get you in Rhode Island by the end of the week. Or get her out. Too much work on my plate.

Skadi: Then I will help you.

The giant sighed.

Sebastian: New member to the team... Meet me at nine o'clock at the world's end bar.

The giant stepped out into the rain and to L'aegir's astonishment, the drops seemed to fall around the giant, as if spread just above his head by an invisible umbrella.

She went forward too, her body starting to absorb the water.

And just as she was about to leave.

Skadi: Doctor?

The giant looked away from her.

Skadi: Have you been to Aegir before?

Sebastian: Not that I can remember. I'm a bad swimmer.

He walked away.

Skadi turned away and continued walking in the rain. A presence appeared in her mind. Like a voice in her head.

?: Gosh... That old Laurentina is still alive.

Skadi: You were quiet for once.

The aegir only now noticed that the presence in her head that used to talk to her day and night had fallen silent near the doctor.

?: And this is the man who terrified legion?

A/N: Decided to call the hive mind "we many" legion. Cuz I love mass effect and those who get why I'm saying this, will get a cookie.

Skadi: I'm not interested.

?: But you are interested, my dear friend. Have you forgotten that I read you like an open book? Why is he so familiar? For both of us? The glow of his bracelet... His anatomy... They are older than most who walk the land. But he's only a man... He can't be from the old age. Nothing and nobody should have survived the cataclysm, neither the priestess nor the father... Well, even if the holy writings and some relics have survived the ages...

Skadi: Shut up. If only I didn't have to hear any of your thoughts... You're just rambling about a forgotten past.

?: This past is the history of our world, my dear friend. And our future…

Skadi: If only you would shut up again.

?: Oh, but the solution is simple. You just have to let me take control. And you'll never have to hear my voice again.

Skadi: I will never give you control. You hear me, never.

Determined, she chased the evil presence in her head again.

Sebastian looked at the unassuming building in front of him. Windows with closed shutters. No signs or directions. A heavy armored door in this almost deserted street. A large building with dull, concrete-gray walls.

That hid a dark and horrible secret.

This place had become one of the biggest brothels in all of Lungmen. The reason? The diversity and the more exotic services than what the other more respectable brothels run by the Lin used to offer.

A vaguely familiar car pulled out of the underground parking lot of the place and drove off into the streets of Lungmen, but Sebastian paid no attention to it.

The giant cracked his knuckles and walked straight to the door, before knocking heavily.

The metal latch for sight opened.

Guard: Pass word-

The giant punched, his fist breaking through the metal of the door to catch the guard's skull and crush it in the palm of his hand. Screams of fear echoed from the other side of the door.

Sebastian removed his fist before grabbing both sides of the door to rip it from the concrete and make his entry point.

Crossbowmen and soldiers with swords began to attack him. But Sebastian ignored their attacks. Like a lonely man in the rain, he paid no attention to each drop.

His anger and deep disgust were simply too great for that. Instead he slaughtered every person who stood in his way. Sebastian was slowly losing his humanity as the bodies fell.

He knew hot, explosive, visceral anger. Like the one he had felt at Chernobog when he took the students out of the academy. But here it was another kind of anger that was taking over. The black, cold, viscous anger that stuck to the heart and soul like tar. The one that turned the kindest of men into a cold and bloody beast.

The walls were covered in red. Some of the rich customers tried to run away. But Sebastian executed every last one of them. He finished his work on the ground floor and went upstairs.

His hand was itching for a weapon. The tip of his sword lay on the floor, the sound of iridium on concrete intimidating anyone who could hear but not see the giant. A new wave of guards charged towards the giant. The first one was terrified but still charged towards the giant with his sword in hand.

With lightning speed, Sebastian grabbed the man in front of him and threw him to the ceiling, before swinging his sword. He sliced the man he had just thrown in the air in half, but also another man who was standing in front of him, their internal organs spilling out everywhere, creating a shower of blood that Sebastian walked through with his eyes wide open, his skin as well as his clothes tingling with carmine.

The gangsters on the scene were terrified, to their very souls. Not only could they feel the hatred and anger, but also all the awful things this man knew how to do.

Some tried to flee, but doing so only earned them more anger from the giant. His teeth became like sharp points even as the gangsters took their first steps to flee, the giant had already covered the distance between them. With a broad stroke of his sword, he cut five of the mobsters to pieces. The sword lodged in a wall, but the beast continued its hunt.

One of the mobsters fell, the giant grabbing his leg to pull the poor fool towards him. He crushed his skull under his boot, then dug his fingers like claws into his torso and threw him straight towards the one escaping. The impact destroyed the two carrion animals in an explosion of bone and blood.

Only two survivors remained, the rest having been killed by the bone shrapnel. The monster clawed at the throat of the gangster on his right and grabbed his face tightly with his other hand, ripping out his throat and sending blood everywhere, including into the eyes of the only survivor.

The beast threw itself on the latter, its sharp fangs crushing the poor fool's throat and showering the creature with more and more blood. The dagger on his ankle would burn anyone else horribly at that moment, but underneath all that blood, there was so much rage that what was left of a person still underneath, didn't feel the pain anymore.

He continued to wander down the hallway, until...

To his left in a room sounds attracted his attention.

Like a ghost, a vengeful spirit driven by hatred, the giant entered the room without a sound.

The spectacle before him was abominable. A man resembling those human shits that Higashien erotic authors knew so well how to imagine, was enjoying himself by hitting the face of a poor woman already unconscious underneath.

Cunt: You like it slut huh?! Tell me you love me!

The giant approached him without a sound.

His dagger began to burn him, the weapon signaling its thirst to eliminate evil. But the giant thought it was too good a death.

The fat man turned, sensing the killing intent behind his back. Sebastian grabbed him by the face and lifted him up to look him straight in the eye. Then the doctor, taking advantage of the contact with his victim's nervous system, imprinted his memories on the man's skull.

What memories?

The same ones that he had made see to the dark creatures that had invaded his mind back in Kjerag. Those of the gods whose simple sight could make one mad. Those consciences that escaped the understanding of any man on this planet. Those who could not be killed had been locked up in the doctor's mind.

Soon the man began to scream to the point of tearing his vocal cords, crying tears of blood.

His brain and heart gave out. A death in terror. The mind reduced to nothing. The most terrible and painful death the doctor has ever known.

The man died. His body fell heavily to the ground once the giant let go of him.

Sebastian looked at the poor young woman who had been beaten. He approached her. She was young. Not yet fifteen.

She opened her eyes, tears streaming down her swollen cheeks as her gaze met the giant's. The gaze of a person who had been beaten. The gaze of a person who had suffered so much that she no longer gave the slightest emotion.

Her race said nothing to the giant. Probably a foreigner coming from far away. Vulnerable in this part of the world.

Sebastian: I'll get you out of here...

The door to the room opened again as the guards finally arrived to take Sebastian out.

The anger in the giant exploded and as his head turned in the direction of his enemies. It was a demon with red eyes like torches that looked at them.

No man would leave this building alive.

The memories of what followed were hazy for the giant. He simply remembered being in a bloodthirsty frenzy to devour and cut up almost anyone who stood in his way.

*dring* *dring*

Hoshiguma: Don't you want to change your ringtone seriously...?

Ch'en: Oh stop it.

Squinting from fatigue, the lung picked up her phone from the bedside table.

Ch'en: Inspector Ch'en speaking...

Nao: Boss we need you on a scene. It's a real carnage.

Immediately the fatigue was dissipated in the body of the lung. She straightened up, her professionalism winning against the physical fatigue, as usual. She put on some clothes quickly while staying on the phone.

Ch'en: Give me the address, I'll be there in a few moments.

Nao: I'll text it to you. Mike! Get those stupid reporters away from here, and tell the coroners to leave them there for now.

The lung hung up and sighed.

Ch'en: It never ends...

Hoshiguma: The retirement will not be for a while.

The lung turned to look at her lover still lying on the bed. The sheets hugging her ample form.

Ch'en: Unfortunately. You can stay here. I'll just take a look at the scene.

Hoshiguma: I'm glad I can stay here, this is my home.

An infinitely rare scene occurred before the oni's eyes. Ch'en began to smile, even if only slightly, Ch'en was smiling.

Ch'en: You know what I mean...

Hoshiguma looked at the lung and had only one urge. She threw herself forward and grabbed her beloved before she had time to react and kissed her devouring that smile on her lips.

Embarrassed, the lung stepped back and hid her face which was blushing very slightly.

Ch'en: Come on, stop it, I have to go.

Hoshiguma: You know I can't resist you... Be careful.

After a few minutes of driving, Ch'en reached the place where the problem was, in the middle of an almost deserted area. Except for all the L.G.D. officers, journalists and curious civilians. She walked through the crowd, the citizens of Lungmen grateful for the dragon's head that protected them and let her pass.

Once through the crowd, she stopped dead in her tracks. Shocked.

In front of her a morbid scene was taking place.

From each of the lampposts in front of one of the buildings hung a corpse. Hanging by their own intestines, all naked. Their bodies mutilated except for the face which was left intact, left like that to allow the recognition of the dead. And Ch'en recognized them, all of them.

Dignitaries in the Lungmen government, wealthy businessmen and notorious criminal leaders.

On the wall of the building behind them, whose door was smashed in, was written in blood, "This is the fate of pigs."

Ch'en wanted to vomit. There must have been a dozen corpses, all dripping with flesh, blood and guts, hanging in plain sight.

Nao: Boss!

The lung's gaze fell on her subordinate who was near the entrance of the building with ambulances. There were maybe twenty or more young women all sitting on the floor with survival blankets and a few L.G.D. jackets kindly given to cover their nudity. The superintendent approached the ursine and began to compile the information she had.

Ch'en: What the hell is this...

Nao: The place is a brothel, so we first thought it was the mob squaring up.

The lung's gaze fell on the young women. None of them looked like they were volunteering to be here. Most had bruises or wounds on their faces. And others still didn't look like adults. One of them looked like she was still counting her age in figures and not in numbers. The L.G.D. agent was disgusted.

Ch'en: It is not the style of the Lins.

Nao: I thought of that too. And it couldn't be other small-time crooks, the Lin's wouldn't let them settle.

Ch'en: So another newcomer in the game... With means... What about the culprit?

She said, referring to the corpses.

Nao: THE culprit?

She said, accentuating the singularity of the lung's words. Both had this strange feeling that only one person was responsible. After all Nao had been Sebastian's teammate for almost a month, and Ch'en... A little more.

Nao: No security cameras in the building. And the ones outside were scrambled at the time it happened. So no evidence.

Ch'en: I don't need proof as long as I have testimonies.

She says while looking at the young women.

Nao: Wrong move boss. There is not one in the batch who speaks Higashian, Yan, Victorian, Ursian or even Iberian. No papers, we can't communicate, and we don't know where they come from. And most of them need medical or psychological help.

The lung sighed.

Ch'en: Then I'd settle for a confession.

She took out her cell phone.

Through the poorly closed curtains, the sun's rays gently caressed the face of a lupo with ashen hair. She opened her eyes feeling slowly the life taking control of her body after a dreamless night. The first sight that greeted her was that of her lover. She lightly caressed the face of Texas. Before taking a great inspiration.

Name of god...

She felt...

Good.

Not just good, or just about rested. Lappland hadn't felt this good in years. Her eyes traveled down her body to that small circle of steel on her chest, some might think the object was unsightly, but the truth was if you didn't look closely, it was hard to see it wasn't a mole. It was a safe bet that this was one of the reasons she felt so good.

She sat up for a few moments to inject her treatment. Without the stinging sensation the task was made easy.

When she finished, she felt more and more energy come over her. She felt healthy for once.

Turning her gaze towards the sleeping lupo she threw herself on top of her to start kissing her, waking her up like every morning. After a few moments the sleeping beauty woke up kissing in return her lover.

Then the two young women separated.

Texas: Slept well?

Lappland: Never better.

The other lupo began to smile, something she rarely did.

Texas: Cool. You really scared me then...

Lappland: I know. I thought I was going to die too.

The Infected took her lover's hand in hers and looked up at the ceiling.

Lappland: I want to get married.

She broke the ice with a sharp blow. Being tired of hiding behind facades and false pretenses. The other lupo was obviously surprised by such a request, or at least so suddenly.

Texas looked her straight in the eyes.

Lappland: I know you were hesitant about this. But I think it's finally time.

Texas: I told you... We should do it when we get our problems in Siracusa sorted out...

Lappland: Celinia for God's sake it's been over ten years since we left Siracusa and haven't been back. How long will it take us to finally go and put everything back in order? 10 years? 20? Seriously, we need to stop putting it off. I don't want death to separate us before then, and you know the odds are stacked for that. I want to follow you to the end of this world, but can I do that? I want us to enjoy each day together as if it were our last. Because THAT day we said that every day could be the day.

Texas looked at her, a few tears rolling down her cheeks.

Texas: I love you... I love you so much Lapp...

She kissed her lover.

Texas: I want to marry you.

Lappland: A good thing done... But we better get up.

Sebastian was sitting on one of the benches at the bar. He took a deep breath, and his hand went to his mouth to pull out the long canines that had grown there earlier in the morning when he had been fighting. He took his sword and began to sharpen it, finding the edge of the blade sorely lacking compared to usual.

While he was deep in thought sharpening his weapon, this moment serving as a meditation, he was brought back to reality with a jolt when he felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned his gaze to see Sora, dressed in her idol costume, the young woman leaning towards the giant with a smile, an earpiece in one of her ears.

Sora: You could answer me at least Doc...

Sebastian: Oh sorry, I was in my own world for a moment. You were saying?

Sora: Nothing, I just wanted to say hi, and ask how you were doing.

Sebastian: Good good. I'm full of energy after what happened yesterday.

Sora: After what happened last night I feel… So damn well too.

She says with clenched fists and a radiant smile on her lips, her overflow of energy making the doctor laugh slightly.

Sebastian: And yet it was quite an evening...

Sora: Yep, for a moment I thought I couldn't go on any more, but you didn't stop anyway. I really enjoyed that night, we should do it again sometime.

Sebastian: If we ever have another night like the last one it will be with joy Sora.

Sora: Oh, and I forgot, you do wonders with your fingers...

Sebastian: An essential part of my job...

Right outside there were two lupos, right in front of the door, both of them having heard the whole conversation.

Lappland: Well... I didn't think Sora was the type of the doc...

Without the context... Their words could be confusing and that's why Texas was ranting. Clearly thinking that the giant and the sanktah were having sex.

Lappland: I can imagine the scene, the tiny Sora under the huge body of the doctor, screaming and scratching the sheets... Or maybe the other way around, she could be a real monstrosity on the bed.

And to make things worse Lappland was there to say what her perverse mind filled her with.

And inevitably Texas also began to imagine the scene, taking herself of an immense disgust.

She opened the door and went inside, sending a murderous look to Sora.

Sebastian: Hi girls.

Sora: Hi Tex... Lapp... are you ok?

Texas: Yes.

The young idol didn't really understand why Texas seemed so upset as she started to make herself a coffee behind the bar.

Sebastian shrugged and looked at Lappland.

Lappland: She stood up on her left foot.

The giant stood up, putting away his sword and the ash-haired lupo took advantage of this, grinning evilly she ran and threw herself at the giant's neck, wrapping her arms around his neck spinning around the giant because of the momentum and nearly knocking them both over.

Lappland: Hi doc!

Sebastian: Whoa, whoa, easy Lapp, I'm reminding you that you're supposed to be at rest.

He said as he slowly put the young woman back on the ground, a big smile on his lips, good humor being infectious, even with the psychopath that was standing in front of him. But on her side Texas was really starting to boil with anger.

When the woman she loved literally threw herself at someone else's neck it was understandable at the same time.

Lappland: Oh come on doc, I've never felt better! I feel like I could knock down a mountain!

Sebastian: So the procedure was a success... The combination of my healing arts and your natural resilience must have worked wonders...

He raised his wrist and with a sharp turn of the wrist, a holographic screen popped out of his bracelet.

Sebastian: And your vitals are good. You know what, I think you are ready for battle.

He closed his screen to see the lupo gloating at the idea of participating in the fight. The giant started to smile softly, almost amused.

Sebastian: Take it as easy as you can... I'd rather be careful for a few more days. Doctor's orders.

Lappland: Aye, sir...

Shortly afterwards Siege and Indra entered the bar. The aslan greeted the giant with a simple hand gesture because of his calm attitude like the surface of a lake, while Indra was much more vocal in her greetings.

Exusiai returned, Feater, the members of Lee detective agency, Nian, Yushia the last arrivals being Irina and Angelina. Angelina came to greet the doctor with enthusiasm while Irina seemed to avoid the doctor. She seemed embarrassed, and it didn't take long for the giant to understand why she was still slightly afraid of contact after what had happened that night at the hotel.

The giant got up without a sound and approached very slowly in the back of Irina with a stealthiness which made cold in the back. Then he approached very gently his face of the ear of the young woman and blew very slightly.

Irina: Eeep!

She jumped throwing in the air the notebook she had in her hands because of the surprise. The noise she let out resembled that of the small plastic toys. The giant found it adorable.

The ursine turned around abruptly, her face already red, which became even redder when she could see that Sebastian was the cause of her surprise.

Irina: H-hi Seb...

Sebastian: You could at least say hello instead of escaping to your corner.

Irina: Yeah...

She was still embarrassed and couldn't even look him in the eye. The giant sighed in annoyance.

Sebastian: You found a gift for Misha?

Irina: Yeah.

She took a small bag marked with the symbol of a clothing store and took out a small canary yellow summer dress.

Irina: Since we lived in the north of Ursus, Misha has hardly ever known heat outside of a home.

Sebastian: I'm sure she'll look lovely in it.

He says with a smile.

Angelina: I told you he would agree with me!

The vulpo jumped on the ursine sulking slightly giving her that ever so adorable look.

Irina: We didn't agree on the color... I was thinking of taking pale blue like her eyes.

Angelina: And I had to go to great lengths to convince her that yellow was the color she needed! She kept the receipt so she could exchange it just in case...

The giant crossed his arms and looked down, thinking for a moment, seeming to reflect.

Sebastian: Hm both are good choices. But Misha already has pale skin and her hair makes her eyes the only thing that stands out from the snow white. So a little more color is better, in my opinion.

Irina: And she gave me exactly the same reason...

She said looking at Angelina before tearing the receipt as a sign of good faith.

Angelina extends her hand, so that Sebastian could high five with her, what he made sending the young vulpo to the angels.

Irina: And you doc, do you have an idea of gift for your daughter ?

The big carnivorous smile that appeared on her lips, as well as the look that she sent him indicated her desire to embarrass the doctor. And seeing that, seeing that she was out of this kind of embarrassed phase following their kiss, the giant could not help but smile. He found back his Irina.

Why would this simple sentence embarrass the doctor?

Siege: The doctor has a daughter?

It was this kind of sentence that people heard without the rest of the conversation. And soon the heads of all the suitors turned to the doctor.

Except for Waai Fu who was just wondering if it was legal for a nineteen year old amnesiac to adopt a child... Because logically he couldn't have one biologically. A professional deformation influenced by her law studies surely. But unfortunately not all of them thought as much as the feline.

The silence instilled in the bar.

Irina stood up and put her arm around the doctor's back, grabbing his hip and pulling him close.

Irina: Yeah, and we're both her parents!

Yushia: Huh?

The zalak was plunged into an internal debate. After all, Irina had been in this operation since the very beginning, so hadn't she been by the giant's side even longer?

Siege on the other hand had her eyes fixed on both of them. Confused, a scene appeared in her head. The vision of the doctor and Irina as two parents with their daughter. Her brain refused to make sense and stopped at the vision. He fists clenched and her lioness tail stiffened, earning an amused look from Indra.

Sebastian was embarrassed, blushing slightly, then sighed before putting his hand on Irina's face to push her away.

Sebastian: You're her sister, and I haven't adopted her yet... I'm nineteen years old for God's sake...

The ursine laughed in her corner as the giant rubbed his temples. Yushia and Siege felt silly for not taking the doctor's age into consideration.

Sora: Not yet?

Sebastian: Well, this situation is complex and would take hours to clarify and let's think about something else.

He looked at Irina.

Sebastian: And yes, I already have an idea.

Just as the giant was about to talk about their work, the door to the bar opened. The doctor's attention was diverted just before, but even before the bell above the door tinkled, the giant recognized the heartbeat, as well as the divine presence he felt buried deep in a soul.

The young woman walked into the bar, her massive sword at her back. She looked at the giant and nodded her head to say hello before sitting quietly in her corner, under the curious gaze of the other members of the squad.

The giant looked at his watch.

Sebastian: Nine o'clock sharp... If that's not punctuality...

Mostima: An Aegir?

Exusiai: She reminds me of-

Sebastian: Laurentina. Yeah, that's normal. So everyone, this is Skadi, Skadi these are my other colleagues.

Skadi: ...

Sebastian: Miss Skadi here was recruited by good old Phobos himself with the task of assassinating me. But we found some common ground.

Everyone looked at her as she still said nothing, but remained calm.

Emperor: So...? Phobos, any info on him?

Skadi: Pretty tall... Red eyes, white hair. That's it.

...

Emperor: Is that all?

Skadi: Hm.

Indra: Hey Siege, you want to have a contest of who never talks with her?

Siege: Shut...

?: I will never stop finding it hilarious that you are seen as quiet and mysterious when you are just socially awkward.

Skadi: 'Shut up for the gods' sake...'

Sebastian: You know what to do.

Lappland turned to the aegir looking overexcited. The little grain of madness taking over at that very moment.

Lappland: And you're pretty strong?

Skadi: I'm okay I guess...

Sebastian: Quite humble...

Exusiai: Like Specter?

Sebastian: Yeah. If not more.

Irina: And that is?

Sebastian: That for you or for me it would be extremely risky.

Emperor: So doc, let's talk about work.

Lappland sniffed the air...

Lappland: It smells of death and blood... Even more than usual...

The giant's gaze soon became infinitely darker.

Sebastian: I managed to get the address of the main brothel of the triad. I went there this morning. There I found a register, which took into account the other smaller brothels. This is the next step of our plan. Attack each of these brothels. With her back to the wall, the pimp will be forced to retreat to her headquarters, which I was also able to obtain the address. There we'll take her down. And that will take one of the pillars out of the equation.

Waai Fu: What about yesterday? Do we stop chasing the mercenary after we get Mercer?

Sebastian: Mercer's funeral is tomorrow.

Waai Fu: Tomorrow?

Sebastian: They don't let it drag on so there's no investigation. And since the mercenary and Mercer were lovers, I will kill him at the funeral.

Sora: You're really going to kill someone at a funeral...?

Sebastian: Yes. And I don't feel the slightest remorse if someone ask.

Exusiai: And that leaves the twins, the accountant and the laundryman...

Sebastian: The money launderer is using a restaurant franchise to launder most of their money. My plan for him has been going on for two days now, but I've got a good big scam going...

Yushia: What about his brother?

Sebastian: They are brothers. We have one, we have the other.

Emperor: There's only Phobos left.

Sebastian: I'll find a way. I always do. Okay, I'll mark the location of the brothels on the maps. Skadi, don't go all the way, we don't want to destroy the city or kill the poor women trapped in those hells.

Skadi: Okay.

Sebastian: I was thinking of taking the one on Chan-zhu-

*I am the storm that is approa-*

The giant looked down and took his phone from his pocket to pick it up, signaling the others to be quiet.

Sebastian: Ch'en ? Why you're calling ?.

Ch'en: Seb, I need a hand at the L.G.D.

Sebastian: Ch'en, I have to stay in my hotel room for a week, it's the regulations-

Ch'en: Look I know that, look it's just that I know that you're the only one that can do what I need. You'll just have to put on a mask to come... Anyway, you should be past the transmission period and most of us have already had the Higashian fever if that's any consolation.

The giant seemed really conflicted in what he thought and what decision he might make. Between helping someone who likely needed him and helping his team members in case something went wrong.

Sebastian: Listen, I...

Ch'en: Seb, please...

The giant looked down and closed his eyes, biting his cheek. Ch'en's behavior alarmed him, since that night, her attitude was explosive with him all the time. So the fact that she was showing a little kindness... It was enough to worry him. But she was showing a little kindness to him, and the giant couldn't refuse to help someone who asked politely, even if he felt animosity towards that person.

Sebastian: I'll be there in twenty minutes.

He hung up and sighed.

Sebastian: Well, I'm needed elsewhere. I'll see you all back here in the afternoon.

He put on his coat and prepared to leave the bar before taking a small briefcase neatly tucked away in a corner.

Sebastian: Before I forget, Lapp, Angie come over here.

The two looked at each other before coming over to the giant.

Sebastian: Irina already has one... But this is for you.

He presented some oripathy monitors.

Sebastian: It will make my life easier... And therefore make yours longer... Normally we give these to the members of Rhodes Island but well.

The two young women each took their own.

Angelina: And how do we use it?

Sebastian: Uh... basically you can use it as a communicator, but it also serves as a GPS beacon, a vital signs monitor, sending your data to my bracelet... You can put it anywhere you want... But a lot of people like to put it on their wrist, to be able to use the holographic projector functions more easily... To activate it, you just have to rotate your wrist...

Lappland: Wait how does this thing opens ?

The lupo gave the monitor back to the doctor who took the object in hand in front of the lupo's eyes.

Sebastian: You can feel a separation by touch here, just slide it slightly.

*click*

The object opened, and in a gesture as quick as lightning, Lappland jumped.

Forward. Taking the doctor's hands with her own, she put the object around her neck, and made the doctor's hands close the object. Making Sebastian put a collar on the lupo. And while the gesture itself might seem harmless or just peculiar.

It was the look on Lappland's face that said it all at that moment. She could have made a comment about the leashes... But it was useless because everyone had understood her intention.

It took a second for the giant to understand, and it was his turn to jump back, his face turning red like a tomato with a slight hint of embarrassment and excitement. Angelina also blushed slightly from such a direct and frank action. And Texas swallowed in her lungs some of the coffee she was drinking and started coughing heavily.

Lappland: Well what?

She kept a bit of that charming look on her face. Not really caring that she was clearly doing a seduction act to someone under the gaze of a woman she had proposed to earlier.

Angelina seeing the scene opened her monitor and snapped it on, deciding not to be left behind in this relentless race for the giant's heart. But as soon as the click indicating that the collar was in place sounded, Angelina's face turned even redder than the doctor's and she covered her face with her hands. Even though you could see the red all the way to her two pairs of ears.

Sebastian: I'll go.

In a flash, the giant was out of the bar, slamming the door behind him.

Irina: 'Fucking imitator...'

thought the ursine while staring at the lupo.

The kirin felt the skin of her lover against hers, an almost suffocating heat but at the same time so addictive. She ran her hand through his short hair while her other hand gripped the sheets firmly. The wedding dress thrown in a corner near the bed.

She felt each of these small kisses along her belly going up slowly, passing between her breasts, touching her neck and finally landing on her lips.

A kiss so powerful and passionate that she could have almost fallen unconscious at that moment. She opened her eyes again, seeing only the two emeralds in front of her.

Fumizuki: Finally... Let's make this the most unforgettable night of our lives...

Sebastian: Because you think I would forget every single second spent with you?

He put his lips on hers again as the young woman's tail passed through the giant's back to keep him in place, just like the kirin's arms embracing her man's neck.

She felt more and more heat coming down her body. Until-

Shirayuki: Madam?

The kirin woke up with a start. Instead of being in the middle of a twister game with a man she was lying in the bed of this golden prison. Still dressed from the night before, too exhausted to change when she went to bed. Her eyes darted around the room until they landed on those of her bodyguard. Right in front of her standing next to her bed.

Shirayuki: M-madam, you should really get up, the time is getting inconvenient...

The kirin started to blush intensely, aware now of the dream she had just had.

Fumizuki: Thank you Shira... I'll get up...

Shirayuki: I'll make you a cup of tea.

Fumizuki: Thank you...

The kirin sighed and just as the anaty was about to leave the room. The princess finally noticed that the face of her bodyguard was red.

Shirayuki: You talk in your sleep.

The kirin gasped, her skin turning from pale pink and magenta to blood red. She hid her face in her pillow, too embarrassed of what she could have said during this fantastic dream-

Hum absolutely indecent... Absolutely indecent dream.

Fumizuki: What are you doing with your life Fumi...

She got up after gathering a good amount of strength of mind and went to change her clothes, refusing to give such a sight to the man she was married to and left her room.

The giant's car stopped in front of the L.G.D. headquarters in a hurry, the giant thinking that the reason for his coming was an emergency. In front of the entrance he could see Mike and Luis smoking their cigarette, the giant put on a medical mask and got out of his car. The two colleagues of the L.G.D. frowned when they saw the giant who was supposed to be sick.

Mike: Seb?

Sebastian: Hi guys, do you know where Ch'en is?

Luis as usual, not very talkative, pointed inside.

Mike: On our floor.

Sebastian: Ok thanks guys.

He entered the building. Many agents greeted him on the way until he took the elevator to the top floor.

When he got out of the elevator he was surprised. Not so much by the fact that the L.G.D. HQ seemed to be in a state of flux. With phone calls everywhere and agents running around. But also by the fact that in the middle of the most open area were about thirty young women. In pitiful states, a few medics trying to treat them.

The young women he had saved earlier in the morning.

His presence was more than noticeable and many eyes were on him, including the eyes of the prostitutes. Sebastian was startled when they all seemed to recognize him, so the giant put his finger in front of his mouth in panic, gesturing to say nothing. And fortunately for him they all seemed to understand him.

The giant's gaze then landed on Ch'en and Hoshiguma who were chatting in a corner, the oni's gaze being naturally drawn to her soul mate she noticed the giant smiling at her, the lung as for her felt Chi Xiao vibrating in her case.

The lung turned around and walked straight towards the giant.

Sebastian: Boss, what's going on?

Ch'en: Thanks for coming Seb. It's a mess in the city, since the beginning of the week it's a war in the streets. The Lin's are in radio silence while their men are being slaughtered, while what looks like another triad is trying to take over. And everywhere they go there's chaos afterwards.

Hoshiguma: Long explanation why it's such a mess here.

Sebastian: Hi Hoshi.

Hoshiguma: Hi big guy.

She says with a smile.

Sebastian: And these women?

Ch'en: Prostitutes. They were in a brothel that was dismantled this morning.

Sebastian: So how can I help? You didn't make me leave my hotel room just to do paperwork?

Ch'en: They need care. But none of them speak a language we know here. You're the best doctor I know, and I know you probably speak every language Terra knows. So trust me. We need you here.

Sebastian: It is what it is.

He says with a sigh.

Sebastian: I should be able to close my organism for a while so I can examine them without contaminating them...

Nao: Seb!

The ursine came from the middle of the L.G.D. agents to see his partner.

Sebastian: Nao it's a pleasure to see you.

He says while patting her lightly in the back.

Nao: Do you need a hand with something?

Sebastian: Yeah, my doctor's kit in the trunk of my car, can you go get it for me?

He says and throws the keys of his car to her.

Nao: I'll get it.

He took off his coat and looked at his colleagues.

Sebastian: Okay. I'll get to work then.

For a long time Sebastian began to examine his new patients. Gathering their thanks, their stories and their testimonies. Some spoke Sargonian, some Dan, and a few Aegir. Young women who had been sent away from home, to unknown lands, to exploit their vulnerability.

He looked after them, showed them kindness. As any human being should. Showing them that their torturers were not men but monsters.

The giant stood up after a moment, about to take off his surgical gloves.

Sebastian: Okay. They're almost all malnourished, but it's still a manageable problem. A few fractures here and there, cuts, scrapes, bruises... All in all... it could be worse physically. It's the mental side that's the problem. Severe trauma. And that I can't do anything about. I managed to get the location of each of them. If I make a few phone calls, I can send them home... Then you have to pray that it doesn't turn into a diplomatic incident...

Ch'en: You can keep your gloves on for a while.

The giant frowned.

Ch'en: Daniel is sick today. And I need you to do an autopsy on a really important case.

It wasn't in her nature to ask things so politely. He thought it was odd.

And besides, the other L.G.D. agents also seemed slightly on edge because of it.

Sebastian: I'm not going to be able to keep my system closed much longer... And even if it doesn't really affect me, I don't want to give this crap on to others.

The lung was an inspector. She sensed that the giant wanted to get out of this mess. But she didn't really know what she could do to make him stay and appear reasonable.

Until some miraculous intervention happened.

Hoshiguma: Come on, just ten seconds, that's all you need, right?

Sebastian: Well...

Even if the giant could resist to the lung, he could not resist when the oni he liked so much was asking him.

Once again the giant agreed, and half reluctantly.

Walked to the morgue Ch'en following his steps. The short journey was made in silence as the two arrived in the room, Ch'en opened one of the body bags on an autopsy table, while the giant took an audio recorder.

Sebastian: Dr. Sebastian, autopsy of what is now an unknown, Friday, March 17, 11:34 a.m... to Dr. Daniel Harvey.

He approached the body.

Sebastian: Male, white, mid-40s... judging by the deformities to the ankles, caused in conjunction with being overweight. Signs of diabetes on the feet. Estimated time of death between 3:30 and 3:40 this morning.

He lifted the body slightly to look back.

Sebastian: Feline. So to talk about the obvious... His face was ripped off. Alive, judging by the state of the veins. Devoured would be the word... The wounds are too random and haphazard to have been made with a tool, you can clearly see the fang marks on the bones.

He rubbed his finger on one of the residues near the wounds and brought it to his nose.

Sebastian: Not made by an animal... The chemical composition of the saliva is closer to human than animal. I take the sample for DNA testing.

Once he had his sample in the bottle, he resumed his work under the gaze of Ch'en who seemed impatient.

Sebastian: So... defensive wounds on the victim's fingers. He must have tried to scratch the murderer.

He took the fingers and examined them carefully.

Sebastian: Interesting, his fingers are lumpy, but the blood and skin residue is only from his own fingers... It's as if he tried to defend himself against metal... Whatever...

He went to the other side and examined the other hand.

Sebastian: Ah ah.

He scratched under the nail. And thanks to his eyes he didn't need any microscope.

Sebastian: White fireproof polyester fibers. Distinctive. Probably from the murderer's clothes.

He took a step back and examined the torso.

Sebastian: Injury to the torso. Judging by my expertise not only as a doctor... Given as a stabbing blow... Non-fatal blow, the other wound in the back as well as the residues around it indicate that he was entirely pierced, and that the point of the sword must have lodged in a plaster wall. Second important part, the length of the wound... Abnormal. If we look at the internal tissues, they seem to have been torn more than cut from a moment. Hypothesis: The sword strike skewered him, the murderer lifted the victim above the ground by the sword, which made the gravity and weight of the victim do the rest. What happened to his face was the fatal injury...

Ch'en: So? Any ideas about the suspect or the murder weapon?

Sebastian: Easy. The murder weapon must be a very long, straight sword, about three centimeters thick. A weapon of war. As for the suspect, he knew where he put his blow to make it as painful as possible, so the perpetrator must have a good knowledge of medicine. The angle of the bites indicates that he was tall, more than two meters if we admit that he was indeed a human being, he needed immense strength to lift the victim and pierce him, and the choice of his weapon indicates that he was also a fighter-

The giant's nose began to pick up a scent not far from him.

He looked up and saw a cup on the desk of the usual forensic scientist.

Red tea.

Only Daniel drank the stuff.

The giant frowned, feeling as if he had just stepped on a landmine.

It was still warm.

Sebastian: Daniel is not sick.

The giant took a step back, the corpse he had just examined was one of his victims from this morning.

Ch'en crossed her arms. Her gaze was cold, like the one she had when she was interrogating a suspect.

Ch'en: The great thing about you is how you always do your job the best you can. Even when you shoot yourself in the foot.

She approached the giant who was taking off his gloves, preparing for a fight.

Ch'en: So you're going to tell me everything, what were you doing this morning...

The giant clenched his teeth, feeling a little cranky.

He kept his silence, while Ch'en also started to get angry.

Ch'en: You were the one responsible for all this shit... That's what you were doing for the rest of the week, pretending to be sick so you could go on a rampage. That's fucking honesty...

The giant was angry. Mostly at himself, he convinced himself that he wasn't really lying, or not entirely, because it was something he hated from the bottom of his being. But Sebastian was still a human being, fallible in all aspects. This anger he felt against himself, he redirected it all towards Ch'en. The catalyst was the hostility he had towards the lung, forged slowly through the month he had spent working for her, where despite all the goodwill he showed she only showed him hatred.

Sebastian: Oh you know something about honesty!

He started to scream, clearly at the end of his goodwill.

Ch'en: Give me an example of a time when I lied to you! None! Because I'm not trying to hide a world behind your back!

Sebastian: You want an example?!

He approached her step by step.

Sebastian: You want to talk about the fact that I haven't been given a single piece of information about the investigation of the reunion members still in town, which is preventing me from going home and leaving this fucking town?!

He stopped just a step away from her, while she still hadn't taken a single step back. But she seemed as if she was uncomfortable.

Sebastian: Alright... You know I can tell when someone is lying to me Ch'en. Oh, you know it. Because I asked you the question during our confrontation. The morning of the day we finished with the reunion. I asked you if we knew each other before And you know, that I can be sure when someone is lying to me or not... that you know, because you lied to me that day! While looking me straight in the eyes!

This time the lung was startled, seeming to be caught off guard, as if she had forgotten that she had indeed lied to the giant at that moment. But she quickly felt ashamed.

Sebastian: So go ahead! If you know anything about honesty, then explain yourself!

The lung looked down.

Sebastian: Oh, and now you prefer to keep quiet... How easy it is.

Ch'en: Shut up...

The lung's voice was trembling. The giant wondered.

Ch'en: You're really an idiot...

She pushed the giant before running away.

He could only see the back of the lung, but what he could see was the tear that fell from her face.

Apparently this lie had cost Ch'en more than he thought.

As the tear hit the ground, the giant was struck with regret. He had gone too far... and it was all his fault to begin with...

Sebastian: Wait !

He left the autopsy room, the Lung already far ahead, and took the elevator. He didn't pay attention to the looks he received from the other agents, going after Ch'en. Nao looked Hoshiguma in the eyes uncertain.

Nao: Is it me or was the boss crying...?

For the few L.G.D. agents who could see it, seeing the woman of steel, as uncompromising as hard and unruffled, with tears in her eyes, was like seeing water catch fire. A vision that contradicted itself.

Nao: Hey Seb-

The oni raised her hand in front of the ursine, the young woman was silent.

Hoshiguma: Leave it. These two have some business to settle.

Sebastian finally got on the elevator and went down to the lobby. He got out of the elevator and walked straight to the exit door, but at the same time Wei Yenwu entered the building. The giant didn't even notice him, having other things to worry about. But the lung, this idiot, perhaps wanted to take revenge for what had happened to his car. He had the wonderful idea of jostling the giant with a shoulder push while passing. His shit-eating grin lit up his snake-like face, and he prepared to hit Sebastian. But when the impact came, perhaps due to a lack of balance, or perhaps due to strength, the giant did not move an eyelash, while Wei fell to the ground.

By the time he came to his senses to yell at the giant, he was already gone with only one thing on his mind: finding the lung.

The sky was clear for once. Lungmen's weather control tower had calmed down for enough time that blue skies were visible over the city instead of the gray.

But the lack of rain meant there was nothing to drown the lung's tears. Ch'en stood on the edge of the roof of a small building, giving her a good view of the city's harbor made to use the artificial rivers of the mobile city.

She was looking at the horizon, her tears not wanting to stop flowing, despite the fact that she was trying to clear her head.

Damn, this man had a talent for getting her in a mood...

She felt Chi Xiao vibrate in her back.

Ch'en: How did you find me?

She said, not looking away from the horizon. Looking no further than where Lungmen lay. After all, she had never looked beyond.

Sebastian: I know your heartbeat.

The sound of her footsteps echoed to the edge of the roof where the giant came to sit down too. Not daring to look the Lung in the eye.

Sebastian: I'm sorry, I was such a jerk earlier. You were right. I was being dishonest. I wasn't sick, and I took advantage of the free time I had to fight the triad that invaded Lungmen behind your back by starting my own team. And I should have told you about it.

He finally got the courage to look the Lung in the eye.

Sebastian: But now let's put our cards on the table. When you ask me a question I'll tell you the truth, and only the truth. But I expect the same from you. Deal?

The lung looked down. Seeming to think for a short while.

Ch'en: Deal. Shall we start? Are you going to keep the sandwiches for yourself?

The giant laughed lightly, as in his right hand was a plastic bag he had obtained from a restaurant down the road. He took one of the sandwiches and gave it to the lung. Anyway it was noon and they were both hungry.

Sebastian: It's bad to have an empty stomach... it puts in a bad mood...

She took a bite of her food.

Sebastian: I chose by instinct...

Ch'en: I like it...

There was a second of silence.

Ch'en: Go ahead. Your turn.

Sebastian: Good. What's the link between us.

The lung took a deep breath.

Ch'en: I really knew it was you after our duel. But, it all goes back to the Victorian Royal Guard Academy.

I was in fifth year, so I must have been something like... 23 at the time. I was considered the best in my class. A young Lungmenite, among Victorian nobles aiming to join the best parts of the army. Those days for me were... tough.

I was pretty good, but far from humble. I thought that the world was rightfully mine, that I was better than all those petty nobles. That the world was all white or all black.

I didn't believe in justice, or in people, or in anything else for that matter.

I was a horrible person back then.

Even more so than now?

Hey you want to hear my story? Then shut up.

It was the beginning of fifth grade, I'm allergic to pollen so I needed allergy pills. For that kind of thing you go to the academy infirmary. I went there, and instead of the nurse that there had been for the last four years, there was this new guy. Very tall, curly black hair, green eyes, greener than I had ever seen.

That was me, right?

Simon Cyrene. That's how he introduced himself to me that day. A student at the medical academy, doing his internship as a combat medic for the academy. You were a little shorter, you didn't have a beard and your hair was a little longer.

I just thought he was an idiot. Going into the guard academy, to be a medic... Without prior experience, it was the best way to get killed. That's what a lot of other people thought. So, during our first training together, during the duels. There he was. With a two-handed training sword, which he had just picked up.

We all laughed at him... except my roommate at the time... nice girl, with everyone.

And I got cocky. I challenged you to a duel. With one of my hands behind my back.

That day you humiliated me.

You put me down several times, each time letting me get up instead of finishing the fight, you broke my weapon, you forced me to use the hand I shouldn't, and when it was over, you tackled me to the ground before dislocating my shoulder, to show me that medicine taught you useful things for fighting.

Wow...

You in all your glory. But that day, you didn't just humiliate me, you taught me a lesson. You taught me that there was always more, that I was nothing. Nothing but a kid away from home waving two swords without knowing what the hell she was doing there. You reminded me that there were those moments when we were powerless...

Even if it's a lesson I didn't immediately understand.

You refused to fight with anyone.

But every day I would ask you to duel again, and you would agree, only to bite the dust.

At first it was just for my ego. To be the best again. But after a while I just wanted to be stronger, not necessarily the best...

I wanted to never feel as weak as I did then.

When I left my ego behind, everything was better. You were sympathetic to me, as were the others, and I felt less anger and hatred towards the world.

So I started talking to you outside of our fights. Because the others really hated you.

And that's when you made me realize how stupid I was too... I may have been the one with the best scores, but you showed me that there was intelligence that wasn't in the tests.

Making choices, questioning your morals, your decisions, the world around you, doubting your future, seeing it from all angles.

So I opened myself more and more to others. I made friends other than my roommate who was friends with me just to be nice and to get me to do her homework.

I considered you a friend of mine.

We went to a lot of parties, and you gave me a taste for getting absolutely hammered.

Slowly, I thought I was beginning to learn about love.

One day, the king, his daughter and several knights of the tower came. To evaluate our performance in our final test. A battle in two sides. Anything was permissible as long as it wasn't lethal.

We all fought valiantly. But the king's conclusion came. He found the battle boring, and our fighters unskilled.

At that point, we all bowed our heads and thought we would all fail. Except for you. You stood in front of the fucking king of Victoria with nothing but your little bag of medic. You claimed loud and clear that we had all worked hard to be the best fighters. And he told you that he had no comment to receive from the weakest who didn't even dare to fight.

You provoked him, asking him and I quote, "when was the last time he brought his fat ass to a battlefield?"

Did I really said that?

I could tell you were younger back then. You were more, bloody...

That's one way to put it.

Of course, he sent his knights after you. And you took them down one by one. When only the king and his daughter were left, you approached him and looked him straight in the eye and told him that the weakest warrior in this academy was still stronger than his best knights.

Three days later, we all graduated. And you received your doctorate. But instead of celebrating with the rest of your medical class, you preferred to celebrate with us.

Just thinking about that party still gives me a headache.

That night I confessed my feelings to you. Then we slept together.

The next morning you were gone. The following days instead of going back to Lungmen, I kept looking for you everywhere, I asked the medical university and they had never heard of a Simon Cyrene. Except for the Laterano's.

I-I'm sorry.

I spent days and days crying. I thought it would last. But every time I thought about it, you warned me that it would never work for long... I realized that after you graduated you were going to disappear.

Ch'en: I loved you Sebastian.

The giant looked her straight in the eyes. And his eyes were not enough to tell how sorry he was.

Ch'en: You want to put your cards on the table? I loved you for making me the person I am, and I still admire you, because you are always sure of yourself, never hesitating you make the right decisions, you put your whole soul into everything you do and you always succeed in the end. You still make me feel that I have things to learn, that I am still a kid waiting to be shaped by the blows the world gives her. And I'm angry with you, terribly angry because you don't remember of us together, because you have this gift for always doing things a little bit like me, but on the other hand, because you're so endearing that it makes me hate myself to think that we're going to have to separate again.

As she spoke, her tears flowed slowly down her cheeks. For once Ch'en was getting out what was in her heart.

Ch'en: So you, tell me how you feel about me.

The giant took a deep breath.

Sebastian: You annoy me too. You're a real bitch when you get the chance with me. And that makes me mad, not because you're mean, but because after our win against the reunion you showed me that you could be nice. And that at that time I really liked you. Especially after I learned you were making visits to the children of the slums. You piss me off because I admire you too, despite the fact that you're a bitch, I admire you because you know how to detach yourself from things, but still have a heart, while every fight, every investigation eats me up inside, because unlike me your subordinates respect you more than they fear you. Because you are not yet thirty years old and you manage the security of the fifth largest city on this planet with brio. While I've literally gone crazy trying to save a few hundred sarkaz. But I trust you. Probably more than I trust myself.

It was the lung's turn to be surprised by this confession from the giant, who also spoke his mind.

Silence returned, and the two of them started to look towards the horizon.

Ch'en: Any more questions?

Sebastian: Two.

Ch'en: Go ahead.

Sebastian: Is Talulah your sister?

The lung's eyes widened. And she didn't need to answer because she had just confirmed the giant's suspicions. Even if she would have liked to answer, in her own words.

Sebastian: I knew it... She looks like you. She really does.

Ch'en: You're good at this kind of thing... Half-sister, technically... Ursus took her away during the war with Chernobog.

This was a first for Ch'en. For once she opened her heart. To say the kind of thing she had never told anyone before.

The giant was surprised. The war between Lungmen and Chernobog was known. A war where Yuri of Ursus, had wiped out the Lungmenite defenses. Sebastian was responsible for the fact that Ch'en lost her sister that day.

Sebastian: I can't even imagine what that must feel like.

Ch'en: It hurts... My turn. I know now that you were Simon Cyrene, the founder of the man-eaters, Seb, the commander of Theresa. But even then I wondered.

Her red eyes, seemed determined to get the truth.

Ch'en: Are you Yuri of Ursus?

The giant took a deep breath. He had promised his honesty, and would never go back on that promise.

Sebastian: Yes, I was.

The lung clenched her fists.

Sebastian: All in all I must have a few minutes of my memories back. And I could remember that yes, I was that person. So yes, I am responsible for-

Ch'en: No.

The giant was silent.

Ch'en: I already know what you are going to say. And no. You are not responsible for what happened. The one who had my sister kidnapped was Duke Koschei. Not you.

Sebastian: Do you think anyone else knows that?

The lung smiles slightly.

Ch'en: Actually, I made a bet about it with Hoshi... And I know Nao and Mike have been wondering... In fact I think a lot of people have been thinking about it. But in the end everyone is in denial. Why do you plan to keep it a secret?

Sebastian: Not for long. But it would be nice if you could keep it for yourself.

Ch'en: Yeah... I'll wait to get my money from Hoshi...

A little moment of silence passed. The atmosphere between the two was strange, as if they had all said to each other, but still had a lot to say. But at least the two felt light hearted, and finally stopped feeling hatred towards each other.

Ch'en, for once, felt a smile grace her lips. Her draconic tail wagged slightly before wrapping itself very lightly around Sebastian's arm.

Sebastian: Well... So we both unpacked the biggest secrets we had.

Ch'en: Apparently. Wait, you have one more question, right?

Sebastian: Did we get laid tonight after the victory?

The lung looked at him and laughed.

Ch'en: Seriously, is that your question?

Sebastian: You should know that alcohol really attacks my memory.

Ch'en: Yeah. We walked to a love hotel and had sex. At the time I thought maybe you remembered more than what you were talking about... And I left in the morning when the alcohol went down...

Sebastian: You were ashamed...

Ch'en: Yeah... Don't you?

Sebastian: Not really. I'm already reassured that it's with you and not just anyone.

The lung flinched slightly and started to blush a little.

Sebastian: And then we are two adults Ch'en, we were both aware and agreed at the time ... I hope.

He said, his face a little frightened, referring to the fact that he didn't remember anything. This joke did not fail to make the lung laugh very slightly.

Sebastian: We were both dead drunk and you are an attractive woman on top of it would be useless to be ashamed...

He said, looking at the horizon, feeling just above it. He was too old to feel that kind of embarrassment. He glanced at the lung who had a hint of pink on her cheeks. But he felt he had to get back to more current, and more serious, topics.

Sebastian: How are we doing on this triad thing? I'm on good path and I have a great team.

Ch'en: We can't find anything... Any idea how to help each other?

Sebastian: This triad has connections everywhere... You saw the guys in the brothel, the board of directors of the city will be half empty at the next session. They must have some contacts in the L.G.D. They have to. For all I know, even Wei could be involved in this. Not to mention the guy who's the head of them. He's a fucking menace.

The lung frowned. If he thought someone was a danger. Then the rest of the world had better stay away.

Ch'en: So we stay away?

Sebastian: I think it's for the best... The triad doesn't seem to see you as a danger. And that's good, so they don't attack you. And like I said. I'm on the right track and I have a good team working for me.

Ch'en: I see... If you think it's for the best... Send me a message if you're going to make a mess so I can delay the arrival of the L.G.D.

Sebastian: Yes ma'am. And just, can I ask you one more favor?

Ch'en: Try me.

Sebastian: Can you look into the reunion? I'm tired of seeing Rhodes Island trapped when I look over the horizon.

He pointed to the right, where you could see the docks of land cruisers too small to be considered mobile cities. There was Rhodes Island.

Ch'en: I've been put off the case. But I agree that there is something fishy behind it. So I'll do what I can...

Sebastian: Thank you. For everything Ch'en.

Ch'en: You're welcome... But you owe me two favors.

Sebastian: And I'll return them when you ask.

The lung finishes her food and rolls up the paper and throws it into a trash can below.

Ch'en: Can I offer you a coffee?

She asked as she stood up wiping the dust off her back. Her animal part let go of the giant without her realizing it.

Sebastian: Go ahead. Anyway, I have to get my crate and my medical kit.

The giant stood up and jumped off the ledge. And despite his weight, his landing on the ground was the same as jumping down a flight of stairs.

The lung looked at him and raised an eyebrow, as if to say - really?

Then he shrugged his shoulders with a smile.

A sigh escaped from the lips of the dragoness, before she threw herself into the void. The giant caught her with all the pain of a feather pillow.

The two looked into each other's eyes as Sebastian carried the dragoness, that pretentious yet charming smile on his lips. Ch'en dismounted quickly, hiding the red on her cheeks.

Opening her heart had had the effect of chasing away the hatred that had been lurking there.

And once the hate was gone, there was little left to keep those feelings behind.

She may have confessed how she once felt about Sebastian, but thankfully he hadn't asked how she felt now.

But thinking back to that conversation they'd had about the love hotel, she figured he must have had his own ideas.

It would complicate the situation with Hoshiguma though...

Wei Yenwu arrived at his penthouse, rubbing his backside, still numb from his fall. He threw his car keys on a table, and went to get a glass of water. He arrived in the living room and saw Fumizuki watching TV with a cup of tea. On her left hand he saw something.

Wei: You are not wearing your wedding ring...

He said with disdain.

Fumizuki: Hello to you too.

Wei: Why aren't you wearing your wedding ring?

The kirin looked at the lung.

Fumizuki: I wanted to take it off.

Still bitter about the humiliation he had suffered from the giant he started to shout.

Wei: You are my wife, damn it! You have to wear that damn ring! What will people think when they see you without it?! Huh?! What will they think of me! That I'm a jerk who lets the princess of Higashi, his wife, strut away from him in front of all the other men!

Fumizuki: At least they'll be right about one of these things.

Wei: Little-!

As he angrily approached, Shirayuki grabbed her shuriken from the shadows, but the princess held up her finger.

Fumizuki: First of all, the whole town already knows that you go to brothels five days a week. Secondly, if you were paying attention, you'd notice that I've been wearing gloves for years, every day.

Displeased with what seemed to him to be insolence, the lung approached and decided to hit her. While Fumizuki signaled her bodyguard to do nothing, she raised her third finger.

Fumizuki: Thirdly, if you raise your hand on me, I'll smash your fucking face in.

Both the anaty and the lung were surprised by the violence of this answer. Especially coming from a woman like Fumizuki.

But that didn't stop the lung, who was tired of being humiliated.

Wei: Shut up!

He drew back his fist and threw his punch.

So slow.

That was what Fumizuki thought. After fighting alongside the giant, against this wendigo, the lung's attack was so slow that the kirin thought she could almost finish her tea while waiting for the impact to come.

Instead she got up from her chair, and stood behind the lung, grabbing his arm and extending it to the side to keep a grip on him, and struck behind his knee, bringing him to the ground, a pressure of her left hand and the kirin tackled the lung against the small table next to the chair.

So weak.

The kirin thought to herself feeling the fact that the lung was trying to struggle, to move, but she managed to keep him well in place, while she didn't even feel like using force.

The ninja watching the scene was shocked. Her mistress had just moved so quickly that she could hardly see her. So quickly, that the cup of tea she had was only now falling to the ground.

With all that had happened last night, the kirin felt a new youth flow through her. Her sharp warrior instincts resurfacing, her sharp and powerful muscles awakened from a long sleep. Her mind bubbling with different emotions, abandoning passivity and a little bit of wisdom...

Wei: fuck help me!

Said he, referring to his shadow guards.

But, what he didn't know, was that the only shadow warriors present at that moment, were former emperor's blades. And the order they had received from their leader was worth more than any other.

Wei was almost terrified when he couldn't see anyone coming to his rescue.

Fumizuki herself thought it was strange. But she had other things to worry about.

Fumizuki: I've had enough of you, and all your crap. Don't ever raise your hand to me again, don't ever make a comment to me, you know what, don't talk to me, don't even look at me. And apologize.

She said, pressing harder to hurt him.

Fumizuki: Right now.

Wei: You are my wife! My possession! You are mine! I can do whatever I want with you!

Fumizuki: That's what makes you two different... He knows that I'm a person. And not an object.

Wei: I knew it... I knew it... You're cheating on me bitch!

He says, mad with rage. The kirin only half regretted letting her thoughts about the doctor escape.

Fumizuki: I should. But I guess I'm too honest to do it.

This answer surprised her inside.

Fumizuki: Now you apologize.

Wei: Go. Fucking. Die.

She frowned and gave another kick under the man's ribs, sending him to the floor. Then she put the lung's hand on the table, and took out the pin she had in her hair, and put it just above the lung's hand.

Fumizuki: Last chance.

Wei: You wouldn't dare...

He said, the fear printed on his eyes.

Fumizuki: Want to bet ?

She was tired of the continuity.

She had spent an eternity in this tower, in this situation and she wanted it to change. So she didn't care anymore.

The kirin raised her hand high, ready to impale the Lung's hand.

Wei: Sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry for everything! I'm sorry for all the wrong I did to you!

The lung collapsed in an endless stream, meaningless with only fear as motivation, of apology.

Disgusted, the kirin put back her pin.

Fumizuki: You are pitiful, cowardly, perverted, and weak.

She turned away from the lung and as soon as he raised his head sending a murderous look in the kirin's back. What she felt. She turned her head in his direction, returning his murderous look. And the lung almost fell even lower in fear.

The kirin left the penthouse. While Wei began to shout all the insults he knew.

Until his attention was caught by the TV.

Reporter: Yes it's terrible here in Lungmen this morning a real bloodbath took place in what seems to be a mob brothel dispute.

Recognizing the place on the pictures, the lung was once again frightened and rushed to his cell phone.

Hoshiguma came back to the floor of the L.G.D. Curious as she came out of the elevator, Nao who was just in front of the doors caught her eye.

Nao: Look...

She followed the ursine's gaze to put her eyes near the coffee machine, where Ch'en and Sebastian were talking, cordially.

Even though it was known to be their favorite place to argue.

Nao: What the hell happened?

The oni smiled, the only step of her plan that she couldn't influence went off without a hitch.

Hoshiguma: Like I know that...

The ursine looked at her colleague. She wasn't fooled, she knew that she was probably the closest person to these two here.

Sebastian finished his cup of coffee, before turning to leave. But to get his medical kit he had to lean forward, pushing Ch'en slightly, who spilled her coffee on the doctor's back. The giant stood up and turned angrily to the lung, who was also a bit stained.

Sebastian: What the hell did you do?!

Ch'en: You're talking ?! Look at that fucking shirt, it was brand new! It doesn't matter that you wear the same rags all the time! All of this because you don't know how to move your fat ass!

Sebastian: I have a fat ass?! Look at you, you think it's not obvious that you've been wearing wider shorts for the last two weeks! You'd better learn what a diet is!

Ch'en: Oh you *Lungmen swearing* !

Sebastian: You want us to settle this right here and now, you *Ursus swearing* !

Swire arrived on the stage, near Hoshiguma and Nao.

Swire: Well, Seb is back...

She said, thinking that nothing at all had changed.

Hoshiguma sighed.

For Ch'en and Sebastian, the anger they felt towards each other was almost natural. Uncontrollable, they couldn't stop beating themselves up over everything. Just as the two couldn't help but be attracted to each other...

The giant parked in front of the word's end, changing his shirt in his car before entering the bar. Once inside he was surprised to see that everyone was already there, and that everyone was looking in one direction without saying a word, that of Skadi.

Sebastian: Did something happen?

Irina: Why are we here? You two could destroy all of Lungmen in one day.

The giant looked at the aegir who seemed unperturbed as usual.

Sebastian: Did you go easy?

Skadi: Hm. I didn't destroy anything...

Siege: She sliced up three guys who had taken red pills, all at once.

Sebastian: Well, since no one got hurt, I guess it went well.

Emperor: And you doc, you were with the L.G.D. right?

Sebastian: Yeah, I was ambushed like an idiot. They found out that I was the one behind the whole mess with the triad.

Yushia seemed to react when he mentioned Ch'en.

As did the rest of Penguin Logistics, the fear of ending this case behind bars soon set in

Emperor: So what's going to happen?

Sebastian: The L.G.D. will stay away, voluntarily. And I've been promised they'll be late if we really mess up.

There was a collective sigh of relief.

Sebastian smiled slightly.

Sebastian: That's what having good friends is for.

Angelina: I don't want to get arrested... What would my mother think if she found out...

Lappland: Mine disinherited me when I got caught the first time.

The vulpo looked at the other Siracusan.

Angelina: That's not very reassuring, Lapp...

Lappland: No, but it was because I got caught, not because I committed a crime. All this to say that you could probably hardly have worse parents than mine... So it should be fine.

The other lupo was rather surprised to see her lover talking so openly about her past. Once again, she had the impression of being in front of a stranger.

Sebastian: Hey nobody will get arrested here... I'll make sure of it.

Waai Fu: So what do we do now?

Sebastian: I'm glad you asked. The pimp's headquarters is the Hai Fuo hotel. After all the trouble we caused this morning, she'll want to hole up there tonight. That's where I would infiltrate. I'll keep her busy, kill her. And we get rid of one of the heads. But more importantly, she and the mercenary are the ones who are mainly leading the men. So since the dear man is busy mourning the death of his lover, tonight they will be especially vulnerable. This will give you the opportunity to attack the key points of the triad.

Waai Fu: So nothing this afternoon?

Sebastian: Nothing. It's free time folks. I'm just going to mark on the map the targets to attack and make sure to be there by 8.

The giant felt like a teacher when he had just announced that there would be no homework. The atmosphere in the bar became more relaxed and everyone started to talk.

Sebastian: Irina, do you have a second to talk?

The ursine who had been talking with Exusiai nodded and approached the giant who went off to his corner to rummage through his things.

Irina: Yeah, what did you want to talk about?

The giant was pleased that the young ursine reacted without the embarrassment she had felt after their kiss.

Sebastian: The gift for your sister, I wanted your opinion.

He took out a scarf from a corner. It looked slightly like this kind of scarf for the desert from Sargon.

Irina: It's nice.

Sebastian: I noticed that she was always wearing her old scarf full of holes. So I made her this one... I thought maybe it was a little too... Warrior for a kid her age. I know it's not that great of a gift.

The bear sighed, because of the giant's tendency to pull himself down.

It was something he couldn't reveal, but this keffiyeh was an exact replica of the very first gift his master had given him in Armenia. Although on this one the colors were subdued enough that the girl didn't look like a desert fighter.

Irina: Did you make it?

Asked the ursine rather impressed.

Sebastian: Yeah, I can sew a little bit.

Irina: And I got the cheap scarf.

She says, pointing to the scarf that hides her oripathy crystals at her neck, wanting to get a reaction from the dear doctor.

Sebastian: It's a silk scarf my dear... But it was a bit of an appetizer for the real, big gift.

The giant put down a sheet of paper that he had carefully stored somewhere.

Curious, the young woman began to read the paper.

Irina: Application for adoption...

The ursine put the paper down, seeming a little taken by surprise by these events. The giant looked at the young ursine as seriously as he could.

Sebastian: I've been thinking about this a lot these past few weeks. And you are Misha's closest relative. So it would be administratively complicated... that and the fact that we're both on the battlefield, if anything happens to you then Misha could end up in foster care-

Irina: It's okay.

Her tone of voice was soft, and calm, far from that explosive and embarrassing personality.

Irina: You don't really need my approval, do you?

Sebastian: Legally? No. You're a minor too.

Irina: And you still had the nerve to ask me when a month ago we brought each other to death's door...

The giant began to fear her answer.

Irina: Go ahead. You can adopt her. I give you my consent. You don't have to give me all these reasons. You want to take care of Misha, she trusts you and loves you. And I'm getting to know you. I'm sure you'll take better care of her than anyone else.

The ursine smiled. The giant felt as if he could not be touched anymore. It's true, a month ago they had fought to the death, and now he decided to adopt her sister. This was perhaps the greatest sign of trust Irina could give the doctor.

After all, she could trust the giant after he gave her a new life.

Their relationship had made a real jump...

Sebastian: Thank you. Thank you very much.

Irina: But now I feel like my gift sucks.

Sebastian: Any birthday present from someone dear to you has an effect...

Irina: What are you going to get me for my birthday? I'll be seventeen after all.

Sebastian: A handshake and congratulations.

She seemed disappointed... Almost expecting the giant to participate in this little game she liked so much.

Irina: Yours is the 5th of October, right?

Sebastian: I'm surprised you remembered... What, are you going to give me a present?

Irina: I have my own idea.

The young ursine, with a slight smile on her lips, approached the giant and came to whisper in his ear.

After a few seconds, he was already red, but she continued to whisper. Then he became redder than his blood, but she continued. And when she finally finished, the giant's heart was beating so fast that the temperature had risen and he was hiding his face with his hand.

Irina moved away her own cheeks slightly pink, admiring with delight her work. Never had she embarrassed the giant so much. Then that was worth perhaps the blow...

And to finish him off...

When the giant lowered his hand slightly to look at the ursine, she gave him a wink, and went to finish her glass of milk.

Steam began to escape from his skull.

His birthday will be marked in the calendar...

As some began to leave the bar to take care of their afternoon. Others decided to stay at the bar to chat and hang out with friends. Skadi got up and left without saying a word, as usual, before being intercepted by Feater, who started talking to her to try to recruit her in one of his movies.

Just as she had tried with each of the members here.

But just as Siege was about to do the same, she turned to the giant.

Siege: Doc.

The giant looked up, his mind still clouded by Irina's words, and noticed that the aslan was nodding to him to get out.

Without question, the good doctor got up and went outside with Siege and Indra.

Sebastian: Is something wrong?

Indra: Depends on who it is...

Siege: I need a hand. We've gathered a cell of Londiners in Lungmen. This afternoon I'm going to see them about getting them into Glasgow.

Sebastian: Oh. Great for you. I guess there's still enough room in the warehouse for a few more people...

Siege: I could use some help...

It seemed to cost her to say that.

Siege: Just in case the crimson troupe or whoever gets to us...

Sebastian: Okay, no worries.

Siege: I don't have a reward to offer you for coming, or even- Wait, you accept?

Asked the queen in exile, not really understanding that the giant would accept a potentially dangerous task, without hesitation and without reward.

Sebastian: Well, yes. That's what friends do.

Siege: A-ah...

Indra: I told you so, Verna.

Sebastian: This is the street, not a court. People have other things on their minds than their own personal, selfish interests.

The aslan bowed her head. He was right, she couldn't help but feel that the world around her wanted to kill her, or exploit her. And sometimes she appreciated the fact that Indra or Sebastian was there to remind her that sometimes the world and the people were simpler.

Sebastian: But if I can get a reward I have something in mind...

The aslan gasped. After all, the doctor was still a man and she was a woman with charms. And as long as it wasn't too degrading... Then she could accept whatever he might ask... With all of this ogling at her chest he did…

Sebastian: Your ears are so soft... I would ask for another session of pats.

Surprised, the young woman raised an eyebrow.

Siege: Is that all...?

Sebastian: I hardly know what else to ask for.

...

The queen felt like hitting herself.

What could she imagine...

Siege: Then let's go.

And so they set off towards their goal, the aslan in the lead. Until Sebastian interrupted the conversation the two young women were having.

Sebastian: Hey Verna, I've been meaning to ask you, do you remember the guard academy exam from six or seven years ago?

Siege thought before answering.

Siege: How can I forget... One of the most unforgettable fake battles I have ever seen. I was there with my father, when he said it was mediocre to see their reaction, he expected angry looks, but there was this guy, a big black hair and green eyes who came out of the line and faced my father like he was not afraid of anything. Then he fought all the knights of the tower to prove that he and his colleagues were the best.

With nostalgia, and the telling of one of her favorite memories, a tiny smile graced the young woman's lips. As she looked into the giant's eyes, the realization hit her like a thunderclap.

She hadn't reacted until then, but as she remembered the man's face, with the doctor standing right next to it. She could not help but face the obvious. These two were the same person.

The lollipop she had in her mouth fell out, as the lioness was so surprised that her jaw could have dropped. But the giant caught the candy in the air with his extraordinary speed.

Siege: It's you... But how did you-

Sebastian: I didn't remember that. But someone else who was there did it for me...

The exiled queen could only remain silent, not being able to express a single word. Understand that she had already known the doctor for years. The giant turned to Indra who raised her shoulders.

Siege tried to understand the tigress' reaction.

Indra: Because you didn't understand it earlier? I mean, this is not the first time you've told this story. So a big guy, strong as an ox, black hair, green eyes, raceless, there are not billions of them.

She said as if it was obvious.

Then she came closer to the doctor before hitting him under the ribs with a smile before putting her arm around the giant's neck.

Indra: And only our dear doctor has the balls to stand up to the king of Victoria.

Sebastian: That's one way of looking at it...

He says, smiling in spite of the pain of his broken rib... The feline never went easy on him.

Indra: You'd better not bring up the subject with Dagda though. Her father was one of the knights in the tower that you kicked that day.

Siege: I... I feel stupid now...

She says, lowering her head.

Indra: Oh you know you have a talent for not seeing the most obvious Verna.

She was far from stupid, it's just that she easily missed the obvious. Some might call it her curse.

Siege: Yeah...

She figured she'd better stop talking so tried to focus on the candy in her mouth, but only to realize she didn't have it anymore. Until her eyes turned to the doctor, to notice that he had put the lollipop in his mouth.

Her tail stiffened, and so did her ears. Pink tingled slightly in her cheeks.

Sebastian: It's really sour. I like it.

The aslan said nothing, taking another candy from her pocket, to put it in her mouth. Closing her eyes to chase away the embarrassment.

The giant continued walking, taking the lead when he noticed Siege wasn't moving.

Indra smiled like a fool when she saw her friend's face.

Then she approached her and whispered in her ear.

Indra: Indirect kiss...

The feline took an uppercut of such a speed and force that the noise that resounded was like an explosion, bringing her to the ground. But the street fighter exploded with laughter, seeing that the aslan's ears were red, even though she was doing her best to look unperturbed.

Texas and Lappland returned to their apartment, waiting for the time of battle to come. A morbid silence had taken place. Texas walked with her hands in her pockets straight ahead. The other lupo looked at his partner, not really sure what was wrong with her.

Lappland: You're giving me the cold shoulder again-

Texas: Stop it.

The young woman didn't even take the time to look at her lover. Her response was dry and showed her irritation.

Texas: I already know how this is going to go. You're going to ask me what's wrong, and I'm going to get mad because you don't even seem to understand the importance of what you're doing to me. So I'm going to tell you right now what's wrong.

The lupo turned to Lappland showing her fangs as well as her hair bristling with anger. An unusual appearance for the one who called herself the ice queen of the lupos.

Texas: This morning you ask me to marry you and less than three hours later you're hitting on the other jerk to become his bitch. That's what's wrong.

As she began to walk again, it was Lappland who stopped. She was tired of cutting corners. And she wanted an answer, loud and clear.

Texas stopped too, intrigued.

Texas: What?

Lappland: It's okay. Celinia, I love you more than anyone else on this planet. And I know the feeling is mutual.

She moved closer to her lover.

Lappland: But you love Lemu too, right? And Sora...

The other lupo bit her tongue to keep from answering too quickly.

Lappland: You love them, maybe less than me, but you still love them. You don't have to say anything. I know that too.

The infected one stopped in front of her other half.

Lappland: I want to marry you. But I only want one thing. If I decide to be yours, body and soul, completely yours and only yours, then I want you to do the same. That you never turn to Sora or Lemu again. Or, if you ever want to be able to stay close to them, to keep that aspect of our relationship open so that they have a place in your heart, then fine. But in that case, I too have the right to other people.

Her lover's demands were confusing Texas. It was the kind of thing she had never worried about.

Lappland: I love you, you are and will always be the one I think of when I close my eyes either way. But either it's just the two of us, or we can both look away. Or we can forget about these wedding ideas.

The last sentence hit Texas like a spear through the heart. The discussion they had had this morning had convinced the ice queen. She wanted to marry Lappland, but was reluctant to do so at this time. But the fact that the whole idea was to be thrown out the window...

Lappland had just given her an ultimatum, and Texas didn't like it.

Texas: What's going on in your head...?

Lappland: What's going on is that I want our relationship to be balanced, not one-sided.

The Lappland of a month ago would have been content to follow Texas around, to love her unconditionally and to look only at her. But since the giant had arrived, he had become the center of the world... First Exusiai, then Sora and now Lappland.

The love she was given was stolen from her.

Or so she thought.

The marriage with her other half, ruined because of this Doctor.

Texas clenched her teeth so hard, she thought her jaw would break.

Texas: You know what, why don't you go home by yourself.

No response. And an invitation to fuck off was what Lappland got from her lover.

She was expecting at least a maybe, an I don't know yet, eventually, not a goodbye, go home.

Lappland gritted her teeth, and turned her back on her lover, turning back toward the bar.

The giant observed Siege's speech. Admiringly.

In a corridor between two alleys, survivors from Londinium, exiled Victorians and fallen veterans, about thirty people were gathered here. The exiled queen had revealed her identity to her subjects, asking them with all her dignity to join them, along with Glasgow.

Sebastian, who was standing in his corner, was speechless as he looked at the aslan. Not only because her beauty was blinding, the context magically giving her this little grain of magnificence, but also because of her talent as a speaker and leader. After all, it was something he could recognize, the two were similar. Forming armies for already lost causes...

But the hesitation, the primal fear of death, remained in the minds of the people listening. Sebastian could feel it, all they were missing was that last little push.

When the queen finished her oratory, Sebastian was the first to applaud, and with a smile, the rest followed.

The aslan stepped down from her display, a poor outdoor table, and approached the giant, as did Indra as the Victorians discussed among themselves what to do next.

Siege: How was I?

Strange thought the tigress, usually Siege was not really worried about her performance in terms of speech.

Sebastian: Breathtaking would be a bit of an exaggeration, although that's how I felt, so I'd just say fantastic.

The bastard had a certain talent for complimenting.

The aslan could see her cheeks turn pink once again.

Siege: Thank you.

She said soberly.

Indra: Oh, I'd say the same thing... Doc, would you mind leaving us two alone for a while?

Sebastian: Nah, I just wanted to chat with the guys.

He said, looking at the men and women of Victoria.

The giant separated himself from the two members of Glasgow and mingled with the crowd, taking care to chat with each group and each individual. With such subtlety that it could be considered manipulation, the giant convinced them to join the exiled queen's gang.

But in the meantime.

Siege: Yeah?

Indra: So are you going to tell me once and for all or not, are you after the doc?

The aslan frowned.

Siege: What do you mean?

Indra: Do you want to fuck Sebastian?

The aslan was startled by such... tact. She looked at the giant, her cheeks slightly pink, knowing that she had to give an answer.

Siege: It-it's not that simple, Hannah...

Indra: Verna, you are an aslan. It's that simple for you. Either he's the one, or if I tell you to imagine him in the shower...

The aslan couldn't help but see the scene in her head. A little pink tingled in her cheeks as she looked away.

Indra: You'd want to throw up instead of looking like... a girl!

The queen looked at her friend, frowning. Feeling offended by an insult to her femininity.

Siege: Because I don't look like a girl all the time...?

Indra: You know what I mean. I'm just here to help you with the doc if there's ever a match. Do I play the wingwoman or is he just a new buddy-

Victorian: Your highness, we are ready to give our verdict.

Indra: Saved by the bell Verna...

The aslan turned to the Victorians who seemed to be united in body, mind and spirit, the giant looking on, satisfied.

Victorian: We will follow you, for the glory of the homeland.

All bowed their heads to their queen, in respect.

Guard: We have the L.G.D. at the door!

An alarmed voice stopped the moving scene. Everyone was panicked. After all, they were all illegal immigrants in Lungmen.

Some prepared for battle, others thought of running or hiding, and even Siege seemed unsure of how to act. But Sebastian intervened. He held up a finger to say calm down, and walked over to the door of their barricade in those alleys, opening it.

He could see four L.G.D. cars and a van, but at the door, Hoshiguma and Luis.

Hoshiguma was right in front of him, and both were surprised.

Sebastian: Oh.

Hoshiguma: Just an oh?

Sebastian: Nope, I think it's a surprise for both of us. Hi Luis.

The not very talkative Iberian nodded.

Sebastian: What are you here for?

Hoshiguma: A report. We were told that there would be a gathering of a Victorian gang here.

Sebastian: Shit...

Hoshiguma: Since you're here, I guess it's not entirely untrue... Can I come in?

Sebastian: Yeah, go ahead.

The giant opened the portal and the oversized oni walked in before the eyes of the Victorians, seemingly on the lookout.

Hoshiguma: Are they clean?

Sebastian: They won't cause any trouble in Lungmen. I give my word on that.

Hoshiguma: Cool.

The giant beckoned the others to calm down, the oni leaning against the wall.

Hoshiguma: So you have a snitch?

Sebastian: Not in the group I would have spotted it, but there are a lot of hostiles.

Hoshiguma: Luis ! Tell the others it's ok ! It's the doc !

The Iberian nodded, and quickly the lights went out.

Hoshiguma: Can you give me a briefing? I'm curious.

Sebastian: Wow... It's a long story, and frankly, I don't want to tell you, not because I don't trust you, but more out of principle, you know I have to keep secrets and all.

Hoshiguma: No problem. Are you going somewhere later? Let me know if I ask the others to relax?

Sebastian: Yeah, we'll probably go to the old brick factory.

As the oni nodded, she seemed to remember something.

Hoshiguma: How was it with Ch'en?

Sebastian: Yeah... We buried the hatchet. Well, as far as we can.

Hoshiguma: Cool. Believe me, it's not fun to see the two people you love hate each other.

The giant shook his shoulders. A smile on his lips. At least Hoshiguma was very direct about what she felt. But soon the giant remembered something too. He approached Hoshi, and gave her an uppercut to the liver.

The oni twisted forward, just a little upset.

Hoshiguma: Hey what was that one for!

Sebastian: I asked you if I set out from the bar alone !

Hoshiguma: Heh.

She says, almost about to laugh.

Hoshiguma: So she told you... She asked me to keep it a secret...

Sebastian: Hah you're unbelievable...

Hoshiguma: I'm sure you had a good time... She told me everything...

She said with a wink.

The giant started to blush slightly. Because his brain could not help imagining the scene...

Sebastian: let's not talk about this, please...

Hoshiguma: You fucked my girlfriend, I have the right to talk about it mate.

The oni started to smile. Aware now that this dear doctor had some feelings for this dear lung.

Hoshiguma: If that's all, I'm going to take off... It was nice to see you. See you later.

She said as she stopped leaning against the wall so she could leave, before looking down the alley to meet the aslan's eyes.

Maybe it was her instincts, but Hoshiguma felt angry. Like when she was looking at Exusiai, or when she had looked at that Kal'tsit.

She felt something emanating from the young woman.

Her yellow eyes became piercing.

Hoshiguma: A colleague from your team?

Sebastian: Yeah.

The oni continued to stare at the aslan, who didn't seem afraid, before realizing something.

Hoshiguma: Wait...

She looked at the giant, as if waiting for confirmation, just to see his smirk.

Hoshiguma: Ah hell... Thirty bucks was that?

The inspector took out her wallet and started to take out some money and gave it to the doctor.

Hoshiguma: I have to stop making bets with you. And I'll keep it to myself...

She said, looking at the exiled queen before leaving, her back bent in defeat.

Immediately the aslan came to the giant's side.

Siege: Who was that?

Sebastian: A friend.

Siege: She recognized me.

Sebastian: Yeah. But no stress. I could give her my life, with my eyes closed.

He says as he watches the oni walk away.

Sebastian: So trust me, your secret is safe with her. Well, if you're ready, we might as well go.

Indra was with Morgan and Dagda, leading and caring for the new arrivals in their new HQ. Assigning dorms, and introducing the different places to know.

Indra: Hopefully we still have room.

Dagda: This place is looking more and more like a barracks.

Morgan: Girls, where is Verna?

The Glasgow strategist asked her colleagues, curious not to see their leader welcoming their new members. Indra heard the question and smiled.

Indra: In her room. With the doctor.

She liked to say too much, and at the same time not enough. Morgan reacted in one way.

Morgan: Oh... Did they got to it?

Dagda: Both of them?! In her room?! But it's too early!

The tigress burst out laughing as she saw that her colleague was once again overreacting. And too seriously.

Dagda: I knew it! Before we even have time to say wow, we are going to be aunts!

She said panicking, making Indra laugh more and more, while Morgan was finally starting to suspect that Indra was laughing at them.

Morgan: Damn it Dagda, calm down... In the worst case scenario, Verna will get a cub, not us...

Dagda: And then it's even worse!

Morgan: Your logic will always escape me. But seriously, where are they Hannah?

Indra: No, they are really in her room. Sebastian wanted to pat her ears. But out of sight.

The tanned feline looked at the taller tigress.

Morgan: Are you thinking what I'm thinking?

Indra: Compromising picture?

Both of them started to smile like idiots. The three felines went to the front of their queen's room. They opened the door and passed their heads and phones to see inside.

In the room they could see the doctor sitting on the edge of the bed, rolling the ears of the aslan who was sitting on the doctor's lap. Her eyes closed, and her head against his chest, even more calm than usual.

The queen having her lioness tail swaying left and right slowly, under the gaze of the pet lions who seemed, dumped.

Indra: Damn... You hear her, she's purring...

She said in a whisper, the others doing their best to prevent themselves from bursting into laughter, even if Dagda was pulling a head of so many feet long.

But when the giant began to scratch the back of the lioness ears, she startled slightly and let escape a moan.

Sebastian: Are you okay?

he asked with a soft voice.

Siege: Hm... it feels good.

He continued to caress her, enjoying these small elements of life. As for the aslan, she was enjoying it. Not only the sensation of the doctor's touch, and the effect it had, but she also took the time to appreciate the closeness, the warmth of someone else. That kind of feeling she had forgotten. Or at least, that she had not known in this way. The fact of being in security, in the arms of someone else. To be able to leave behind the strong and unruffled facade for a moment.

That for just, a short while, she could be a young woman, vulnerable, plagued by doubt, and not the invulnerable queen she wanted to be.

She was not Alexandrina Verna Victoria the third.

With the doctor, she was just Verna. And she wanted it to stay that way.

Morgan: Girls, look at her tail...

She said, presumably shocked.

All three young women searched for the appendage with their eyes, just to see it wrapped tightly around the doctor's arm. All three of them froze at the sight, until Indra began to smile.

Indra: Girls... I think our queen has found her man.

Red-faced, Dagda was trembling. After all, she knew well what that involuntary gesture meant. That and the certain peculiarity of aslan relationships. Finding only one partner, for their whole life.

The black-haired feline dropped her phone out of shock, and aware of the noise, the three of them hurried to retrieve the object before running away.

The aslan and the giant looked at the opening in the door.

Sebastian: They're not exactly discreet, are they?

Siege: Infiltration has never been our forte...

She said without moving. Her voice almost drowsy.

Sebastian: I guess so.

The giant continued his caresses without a word, then his gaze fell on Gawain.

Sebastian: Your lion is really staring at me.

She opened one eye to look at Gawain, who kept staring at the good doctor.

Gawain: Because I don't trust you being so close to her highness.

The doctor looked at the lion, without saying anything. Then Siege's eyes widened as he realized that Gawain had just spoken in front of someone else.

Siege: Gawain, what is wrong with you?!

Gawain: This man must be far from being fooled.

And so Siege could see that the doctor was not shocked.

Sebastian: I noticed that they smelled like Emperor... And it takes more than talking lions to impress me in this world…

The giant continued to pat the aslan under the inquisitive gaze of the other member of her pride.

Siege quickly calmed her panic. The trust she had in the doctor calmed her.

A faint sound echoed, the sound of a telephone ringing. The giant began to move.

Sebastian: Verna, my phone is ringing.

Siege: So what.

Sebastian: It's in my front pocket... And in our position... It would be... Inconvenient for me to take it.

The aslan sighed, then stood up slightly before slipping her hand into the doctor's pocket to take his phone and hand it to him. The giant nearly jumped up and down as he felt that hand slip into his pocket, his face turning red after that rather intimate gesture.

The aslan returned to he original position as the giant held his phone, stunned, he glanced at the lion, to see him just as surprised.

After all, Siege was thinking outside the box, so surely she hadn't realized what she was doing.

The giant cleared his throat and picked up the phone, an unknown number.

Sebastian: Hello?

?: Doctor Sebastian?

Sebastian: Himself. To whom am I speaking?

?: Come on now. Don't you recognize my voice?

He frowned.

Sebastian: Krysten Wright.

Krysten: Herself.

She said with a slight laugh.

Krysten: I don't have much time, Doctor. So let's get right to it. You're wondering why I'm calling you?

Sebastian: You're an intelligent person, but also incredibly narrow-minded. So if you are calling someone who has been fighting with your men, you must be desperate, but you need help.

Krysten: Exactly. Our communication is encrypted. Surely you know that Rhine Labs... isn't really my property anymore, or Mrs. Stonelock's. Someone stole my dream, my ideals, and everything I had.

Sebastian: M.

Krysten: You already have his name.

Sebastian: Sure. I'm dealing with one of his cronies right now. Phobos.

Krysten: I know that... If nothing happens, my end is near doctor. So I ask you this. Eliminate M. I want back what is rightfully mine. And if all goes well, by tomorrow night I will have arrived in Lungmen and we can meet face to face.

Sebastian: Wonderful. But what's in it for me? So far Rhine has brought me a few contracts for a pittance, and wanted my approval to torture children.

Krysten: I told you. I don't own anything in this company anymore. I am no longer a decision maker. Otherwise, believe me, I would have refused these experiments a long time ago. If you help me, I can promise you this, a lasting alliance with Rhine Labs. But for now, I will only give you information that has befallen on me. Alphonse of Cragstone has been sighted in Lungmen. That and a steam knight has disappeared from the Victorian warehouses. I imagine this information may be of interest to some of your allies.

The giant froze upon hearing the news.

Krysten: Our time is up. Goodbye, Doctor.

The giant hung up. The aslan turned away from the doctor to look at him, seeing in his face that he had not only good news.

Sebastian: Verna... Do you know a man named Alphonse de Cragstone...?

Siege: Yes... He was a steam knight pilot. Why?

Sebastian: That's what I thought. Verna, a steam knight is in Lungmen and it's pilot.

The aslan almost fell over when he heard the news.

The giant approached the world's end. He had spent his journey on the phone, busy dealing with all the shit that had just fallen on him. He made a stop at his hotel room to put on his suit.

He returned to the bar, some looks on him, the majority having left to get into position.

He could see Yushia, Angelina, Lappland Exusiai, Sora and Irina and the gang from Lee's agency.

Exusiai: Doc?

Sebastian: I'm going to need a hand getting close to the target. You see, the lady's passion is to seduce married men... So I need a hand. One of you, we're going to a pretty fancy place, and I need someone who knows how to hold a role. Who's up for it?

All of them raised their hands, except Waai Fu. She looked embarrassed.

Waai Fu: I'm not very good at pretending to be someone else...

He looked at Sora.

Sebastian: Sorry, too young, and too well known.

The lupo hit her head against the table because of her defeat.

He turned to Irina.

Sebastian: Same thing.

Irina: Oh come on, you've seen me as a nun, you know I look good in any costume.

He frowned, and Irina admitted defeat.

Only Angelina Yushia and Lappland were left.

The giant looked at Angelina, who understood by herself and lowered her hand. Same reproach as the two previous ones.

Only Yushia and Lappland were left. The two gave each other a murderous look.

The giant seemed to hesitate.

Sebastian: Do you want to decide this between you?

Yushia: No. You decide.

Asked the zalak, confident that the doctor would surely choose her, a safer and more stable element than Lappland.

Sebastian: Lapp, you know that there won't be a fight on your side?

He asked the fight crazy lupo.

Lappland: Well, that's good, I probably need to rest a bit more after the intervention, right

Yushia, startled, understood the decisive argument that had just been sent.

Sebastian: Not wrong... The place is quite fancy. Do you have what it takes to put on your back?

Lappland: Not really.

She said, trying to look calm, but her excitement was showing in her back, her lupo tail beating the air frantically.

The giant sighed and then took out his wallet.

Sebastian: So we'll run an errand on the way. But we better get going now.

He said as the sun set on the horizon, bathing the bar in golden light.

But surprised to hear no reflection, the giant finally noticed that Texas wasn't there.

Sebastian: Isn't your girlfriend here?

Lappland: Nope... She wasn't in the mood to fight.

Sebastian: I see. Come on, let's go.

As the giant turned to leave, the lupo got up to leave with him, the young woman receiving the murderous and jealous looks in her back. Then she turned her head towards the other women in the bar, and stuck out her tongue, satisfied, not missing to collect more hostility.

Aak: But how can this guy be a real chick magnet?

Hung: He has less hair than us...

Waai Fu: He's also less scary for the kids than you are, Aak.

The giant parked near the hotel. His face changing quickly to a little longer, blond hair and blue eyes.

He turned to Lappland.

Lappland: Wow... that is scary.

Sebastian: Relax. I don't do it often.

He looked at his partner, seeing her in jewelry and a luxurious evening gown.

Lappland: How do I look?

She asked, smiling predatorily.

Sebastian: Your crystals are hidden, so it's fine.

Lappland: I wasn't talking about that.

He looked at her dutifully.

Sebastian: Stunning.

Lappland: Is that all?

Sebastian: You have a girlfriend. So I'm not going to go too far in the compliments.

The lupo sighed. Noticing that his come-on wasn't really working. The giant held on to his integrity and the fact that he wasn't cheating on a woman.

Sebastian took a ring out of his pocket before putting on his own, handing the other to Lappland.

Sometime before.

Sebastian: Oh Verna, you kept the ring from the casino?

Siege: Yes.

She says, taking the object out of her pocket and holding it between her fingers.

Sebastian: I need it for tonight, you can give it to me. If I can save money I might as well do it.

The giant went to take it, but Siege would not let go.

Sebastian: Verna?

The aslan's hair was bristling, and her ears were stiff. It was as if she was enraged.

Sebastian: Are you okay?

He tugged a little on the ring but she didn't let go.

Siege: Yes...

Sebastian: Can you let go of the ring please?

Siege: ... Yes...

She dropped the ring and clenched her fists. The giant decided to avoid the subject for now.

Lappland put on the ring and looked at it.

She would have expected to wear this ring under different circumstances before.

She thought to herself, thinking of Texas.

Sebastian: Come on, let's go.

The giant got out of the car, as did Lappland, the plan getting underway. The lupo intertwined her arm with the giant's, surprising him with the initiative.

They entered through the main door of the tower, playing at being a couple who were only there for one night. Luxury all around them. Then they walked to the hotel bar, Sebastian leading the way. Sitting at a table with drinks.

Lappland: So what's the plan besides playing lovers.

Sebastian: Our target arrives every night at 7:30 pm precisely here to ask the bar man how the evening is going. This is also her favorite hunting ground for married men. She has to target me.

Lappland: So you have to make her understand that you'd be an easier target, but keep it a little bit challenging to keep it interesting for her...

Sebastian: You've got a mind of your own.

Lappland: I'm going to have to walk away and create a fight to leave you when she gets there.

Sebastian: Yeah that would be ideal.

The lupo looked at the bar man who was glancing around the room, and interlaced his hand with the giant's, looking at him with a smile, already acting in moves.

Lappland: Should I throw the bottom of my drink at you?

Sebastian: Don't, I have to stay presentable.

Lappland: So why not the "I'm going home alone" trick?

Sebastian: Now we're getting somewhere.

The lupo looked at the man in front of her. Getting caught up in the game... Maybe a little too much. Devouring the man in front of her with her eyes. Feeling herself much more capable of operating in the seduction.

The young woman leaned forward, bringing her face closer to the doctor, on the right side.

Lappland: The bar man watches the room, he must designate the targets to the pimp...

She placed a light kiss on his cheek.

The giant kept his calm and his attitude.

He had been a spy in his very first life. So for him, nothing could break his cover. He could also see that Lappland was planning to trick the bartender.

The giant also turned his head slightly. The angle that the two had just now gave the illusion to the bar man that they were fully embracing. But Lappland looked straight into the doctor's eyes, feeling her heart beat even faster.

Sebastian: I think he's fooled...

Her mind ablaze with the closeness and his sent and the atmosphere surrounding her, Lappland placed her lips on the doctor's.

Stopping pretending for a moment, and letting fully see the scene to the bar man who was watching them, and the few curious looks.

And even if on the outside, the giant kept this facade of the husband in love, inside, he could not help but be shocked.

When the lupo separated from the doctor, her hand on his face. His mind was blurred, his gaze lost in the gray of the lupo's eyes.

Lappland was beginning to understand, the doctor could keep as much integrity as he wanted, he was still a man. And by charming always more she could be sure that he would eventually give in.

The lupo was finally satisfied to see that her charm was finally having an effect.

Lappland: It's the first time I kiss a man. But everything for the role eh?

Murmured she with her smile on the lips.

The giant was stunned and then Lappland came back in place, not erasing her smile, as she savored her drink.

The giant could see in the reflection of her glass their target coming.

A blonde-haired liberi wearing a Yan-inspired dress, and an expensive fur on her shoulders.

Sebastian: It's showtime...

The liberi sat down at the bar, and when the two spotted the gesture the bartender had given to the liberi.

Sebastian: it's your turn.

He said as if nothing had happened, then Lappland frowned. As if the giant had just insulted him.

Lappland: I thought you two weren't talking anymore...

The giant realized that it was time for some improvisational theater. The lupo spoke just loud enough to be heard by almost everyone, but not so loud that it sounded unnatural.

Sebastian: Yeah we didn't talk for a while, but with what happened three weeks ago she asked me to help her out.

Lappland: Was that who you were with when you said you were on a business trip ?

The giant stepped back slightly as if stunned by the question.

Sebastian: No, I told you it was really business-

Lappland: Stop taking me for an idiot... You think I don't know what a man who talks with his exes wants?

The lupo played the angry woman perfectly.

Sebastian: But damn it, it was in high school, honey, you know I love you-

He tried to take the lupo's hand, but she slapped it away to avoid contact.

Lappland: It's okay, stop. I'm sick of it, more than sick of it. We've been married for five years, and you honestly think I'm not sick of you going around with every girl you can get your hands on?

Sebastian: Come on, it's not what you think...

Lappland: That's it, you've said enough, I'm going home.

She got up with a big bang, before starting to leave. But at the last moment, she took off her ring, before throwing it to the giant.

Lappland: And as long as I didn't prove you were on that trip, you can keep it ! I'm going home.

The lupo left like a fury, throwing her tantrum. Leaving the room and then the hotel. The doctor took over the acting, looking at the other customers around him embarrassed, the other people at the bar turned around. And the giant sighed before looking at the ring in his hand, looking sad and then stood up, and sat down in front of the bar on a stool.

Liu: Can I buy you a drink?

The owner of the hotel had come closer. And outside, Lappland glanced at the giant, satisfied that their target had taken the bait. She put her finger to her lips, the sensation still etched in her mind.

Lappland got into the giant's car, the good doctor having given her his keys.

She smiled. The doctor's scent was everywhere inside... It was soothing. And she fell asleep in a flash.

In the hotel, the giant was watching the liberi. Seemingly sad, angry and suspicious at the same time.

Liu: I like my guests to have a good time in my hotel. So think of it as... compensation? Or just a thoughtful gesture.

Some people would have found the woman in front of the doctor simply beautiful. But he found her hideous. If no mask, if no illusion worked on the doctor, it was because he saw through the pretenses, he saw through the lies to see the heart of people.

And that heart made him want to vomit.

He lowered his head, looking hesitant.

Sebastian: Another drink won't hurt me...

The liberi smiled. Sitting at the bar. Feeling that the fish had taken the bait.

Sebastian: I'll have another cognac.

Liu: The same.

Both were served, and the giant raised his glass, looking depressed. Thinking that he would offer a first path for his target to follow if she thought she could make him feel better.

Liu: I offered you a drink, can I have your name in return?

Sebastian: Miles. Miles Edgeworth.

Liu: I am Liu Yandong. Lungmen is a dazzling city, isn't it? Especially at night.

The giant looked outside.

Sebastian: It has its charms.

Liu: This kind of night can make us believe that everything is possible every second. That after every disappointment there is a good surprise. An opportunity, or a good meeting.

He looked at the pim, laughing very lightly.

Sebastian: And do you often do this?

he asked cynically.

Liu: Only to those who catch my interest.

She was pretty good.

Sebastian: I don't really see what's interesting about me. I'm just a poor salesman, on a business trip... And having one hell of a shitty night.

Liu: You hurt my feelings, I was hoping to at least raise the level of this night to mediocre. But I'm sure there's something interesting about you. I can feel it, your dreams, your hopes...

For her this was all a game, a game that consisted of breaking vows and oaths of love.

This alone made the giant want to rip her throat out.

But he had to keep his role, pretending to be touched by these empty compliments, he drew some blood in his cheeks, and looked away, looking embarrassed.

Sebastian: I'll stop you right there. I'm not interested. I have a wife.

He said, showing his ring. Cowering a bit, making her think he was a harder prey to get, amusing her so much that she would drop every defense.

Liu: And your wife just left because you cheated on her-

Sebastian: I love my wife. And I didn't cheat on her.

He replied, cutting her off. The giant thought at the time that it was double or nothing, either he had gone too far, and the Liberi would stop her charm, or she would put on full throttle by feeling involved.

Liu: My apologies...

Damn it.

Liu: Maybe you love your wife... But what I saw didn't seem to be mutual...

The giant fell silent, letting the library convince herself that her charm was working.

Liu: You know, the spouses who accuse their partners of cheating the most, are usually the ones who cheat the most...

Sebastian: You don't dare...

He says, sounding almost desperate.

Liu: I'm just saying... Before you think your whole life belongs to a woman, ask yourself if she ever seemed distant, or if she had strange absences.

The giant looked down at his glass, seeming to think.

Sebastian: I... Damn it...

He sighed and finished his drink in one gulp.

Liu: So, how is this night ?

Sebastian: Incredibly Shitty.

Liu: And yet if you ask me, I can make it unforgettable~

She said, moving slightly so that her thigh was shown in the opening of her dress in indecent portions.

The giant looked at her, before smiling slightly. His hand sending a confirmation message to his teams on his phone, to start attacking the strategic points.

Sebastian: I think I need this...

The young woman was pressed against the bed, feeling a series of kisses against her neck. Imagining receiving all the fury and frustration of a married man. She laughed slightly at the top of her Penthouse.

Luxurious, reminiscent of the Wei's. There was only Sebastian in the apartment and the pimp. Only two guards posted outside the front door.

Then Sebastian stopped in the middle of the preliminaries, stepping aside slightly.

Sebastian: Will you give me a second to get ready?

In the heat of the moment, she did not think about the strange request.

Liu: Go ahead, the bathroom is right there.

She says with a nod of her head.

Sebastian: I'll be back in a moment.

The giant stood up and walked to the bathroom, once past the door he reached out with one of his fingers and shot an arc of electricity at a smoke detector in the open kitchen, the small gesture unnoticed by the pimp who was happily undressing, then Sebastian unscrewed the detector in the bathroom.

Taking off his shirt and running the water to make it look even a little bit like he was actually doing something. He came back to her while she was on the bed, and surprisingly to the giant the woman took out a small set of accessories, a gag and a pair of handcuffs.

Inside, the giant laughed, realizing how much the doe had just given the hunter his cartridges.

He tied her to the bed at the wrists and put the gag on her.

So soon, he broke the illusion. His face became much colder again, and above all, it became that of Dr. Sebastian.

Seeing this, the Liberi tried to struggle, but the doctor, still on the bed, broke one leg, then the other. Preventing her from moving.

Sebastian: I've never been a fan of violence on women.

He says before getting up. Watching his target screaming in pain, without anyone being able to hear the muffled screams except him.

Sebastian: How stupid you can be...

He went to the bathroom and put on his shirt, and his vest, then he wet all the towels he could find in the bathtub.

Sebastian: You know, I hesitated to do to you what I did to Mercer. One shot, and bam, done, your brain on the sidewalk.

He came back from the bathroom, and caulked the door leading outside with the towels. The incomprehension on the liber's face.

Sebastian: But it would have been too simple, in that case...

In a flash he found the young woman's cell phone, and approached her, unlocking it with her face.

Sebastian: I couldn't have the time and place of Mercer's funeral tomorrow... That you just gave me.

He says with a smile.

Sebastian: Or I could have broken your neck on the bed there, like I did so many times when I was still working for the good old motherland…

He walked to a small table in the penthouse where there was a bottle of whiskey worth a small fortune.

He poured himself a glass, and another, and took the bottle to get closer.

Sebastian: But then again, it would be too simple, I couldn't make you suffer as much as I am doing now. I don't want your life to end any more gently than all the girls who died for you.

He threw one of the two glasses on the bed, in the face of the woman who was in pain but pulled herself together, the glass falling on the floor, its contents spilled on the young woman and the bed.

Sebastian: You know I learned, every name, of every girl you took? Their name, their face, their place of birth... But you don't know any of their names, do you? For you they are merchandise... nothing more. Only goods.

The giant approached the bed and emptied the contents of the bottle over the young woman and the rest of the bed. Continuing what was then just a gesture of disrespect.

Sebastian: That's why I hate you so much.

The slight smile he had faded to show his anger.

Sebastian: You destroy, you parasitize, you build nothing and you kill for nothing. I hate you, I hate you from the bottom of my soul for everything you and your bunch of sons of bitches do to this world. That's why I want to see you all suffer, why I won't listen to you say how evil you are and why, why instead, I'm going to kill you all, every last one of you.

He took a lighter out of his pocket, and lit the flame.

The liberi woman's eyes opened wide as she finally understood the fate that awaited her. And what the doctor had been doing all along. Fear invaded her like never before.

Sebastian: And if we leave out Mercer... You're first on the list. Congrats.

He threw the lighter onto the bed, the alcohol igniting immediately, the mattress and blankets quickly doing the same. The screams of pain muffled, but sounding like a sweet melody to the giant's ears. The smoke flew to the ceiling, activating neither alarm nor guards. The front door carefully sealed on all sides.

The giant took a sip of his whiskey, watching his prey suffer and die before his eyes.

After a few tens of seconds, he threw his glass on the bed, when the screams had stopped, and went towards the bay window.

Sebastian brought up his dagger in his hand. The weapon burned slightly, as if it was displeased with his actions. But the giant didn't care. He placed his hand against one of the glass panes, his hand acting as a suction cup, and with the tip of his dagger cut a circle in the glass. Opening a passage in the glass, offering the giant the possibility to get out, leaving the glass plate behind. He climbed onto the ledge, outside, and jumped.

Lappland: Hm... Seb, Cel, go harder...

The giant landed at the ground, shattering the concrete, and causing his own car to lift off the ground slightly.

The whole mess woke up Lappland with a start, as the giant climbed on the driver's side, a big smile on his lips.

Lappland: Um... are you okay?

The good doctor seemed genuinely happy.

Sebastian: Yeah. Yeah, I'm fine. The advantage of being a psychopath I guess.

He started the car and sped off, before the guards arrived, heading out into the city streets. Lappland could see in the rearview mirror the top of the burning hotel building as fire trucks slowly began to arrive along with the police.

Lappland: Mission accomplished?

she asked with a slight smile.

Sebastian: She fell for it like a dumbass.

Lappland: Do you want the ring back?

She asked, curious about the accessory.

Sebastian: I can give you mine, if it will save you money with your wedding.

He said with a smile.

The lupo remembered that she had spoken to the giant about her desire to marry Texas. For a moment she was surprised, then she was disappointed with herself, thinking that the charm she had achieved by kissing the giant had not had so much effect, and finally she understood that it was the opposite. That it reminded to the lupo what separated them according to him. To reassure himself.

Sebastian: Should I drop you off somewhere?

Lappland: Actually... Celinia and I had a fight earlier today... I don't think she's expecting me home tonight and I don't really have anywhere to stay...

He could tell that this part was honest. And that the young woman seemed a little lost.

Sebastian: I see... You can come to the hotel...

His smile was like his smell, all the more reassuring.

At first Lappland thought the doctor reeked of death, blood and hatred. That and the characteristic smell of lupos.

But now, perhaps after her psyche changed, or her opinion of the good doctor, she smelled only of ashes and musk. A scent that comforted her like that of a fresh blanket, or... Texas hair after a shower...

Sensing an opportunity, Lappland bids.

Lappland: You don't have to get a new room, you know-

Sebastian: Stop it.

The giant seemed to be closed up like an oyster.

Sebastian: I'm willing to help you as a friend. But I've had my fill of flirting, and cheating for today Lappland.

A big fat stop.

Sebastian: I think you have charm I must admit. And I like you. But I don't want there to be anything between us, as long as it's a problem with Texas. I don't want you to do a mistake with me.

The lupo felt confused and looked outside.

Lappland: So the two of us... It would just be a mistake...?

She said, sounding kind of depressed.

Sebastian: If it ruins what you have with a woman you shared everything with, yes. Yes, I think so.

For once, Lappland seemed really calm. Not thirsty from her attraction, or from her desire for violence.

Lappland: I already don't know what's wrong with Cel... We had a fight because I told her that if we both wanted to be together for a long time, then would it be just the two of us, or would we both be allowed to go somewhere else...

The giant was only slightly surprised by this intimate confession. After all, he knew that he had a certain talent to make people confide in him.

Lappland: She didn't give me an answer... So I don't know doc... Really.

Sebastian: I... I don't really know what to say either.

Lappland: How about we do some of the same...? I can have Celinia and you can have some more?

The giant looked surprised this time, profusely red.

Sebastian: I... Polygamy is not really my thing...

It's true that he had several love affairs at the same time, but because for him none of them had gone far enough to be considered serious. Otherwise, he would have abandoned them all for one.

But he was a man, so if someone whispered harem in his ear, some part of his mind found the idea appealing.

Sebastian: I'm just saying I won't do anything if it got you in trouble with Texas... You already have a real relationship with her.

Lappland: What about you?

Sebastian: What about me?

Lappland: What do you want?

Sebastian: That those around me are happy...

The lupo laughs slightly, looking out, understanding that her attempts would be unsuccessful.

The two arrived at the hotel where Sebastian had taken up residence this week. Both of them did not bother to join other people in the fight, thinking that either most of them had already finished but also that they had lived enough for the evening.

The giant took a hotel room for his friend. Before getting on the elevator with her, once she arrived in front of her room, she had an idea.

Make her mark.

Not physically, but in the doctor's mind. So that he wouldn't dismiss the idea of a relationship with her so quickly.

Not only in a grand plan of seduction, but also because she felt the honest need to do so, Lappland began her next actions.

Lappland: Wait...

The giant stopped.

Lappland: If it comes down to it, never being able to... be together in any way... Can you kiss me again?

She knew the doctor was about to say no. But the face she made at that moment made his heart ache.

Lappland: To remember what it feels like... And then it wouldn't hurt anyone, right?

She put her two hands on the giant's chest. And because of his size, she stood on her tiptoes.

The giant felt himself crack.

Just once...

He put his lips again on those of Lappland, his hand on the cheek of the young woman. The lupo pulling slightly on the neck of the giant to be able to maintain herself in place.

In front of the avalanche of sensations which crossed her body, the ears of Lappland flattened and her tail froze.

And this only for the first fraction of second.

She continued to kiss, becoming more and more desperate as she felt her tongue fight in the mouth of the man so close to her, she couldn't really tell herself if it was a role, or just the will of a woman desperately in love who was in control.

Their kiss lasted for a long time.

This kind of thing always seemed to last an everlasting eternity, and a moment more fleeting than a blink of an eye at the same time.

Lappland removed her lips from the doctor's, having imprinted that feeling on her mind forever. She rested her head against the doctor's chest.

Lappland: You are a good kisser...

Sebastian: T-thank you...

Lappland: No, thank you.

She broke away from the giant and opened the door to her room, waving at him before leaving, the door slamming behind her.

The giant took a deep breath and leaned against the wall.

He felt as if he had just made a huge mistake. But at the same time it felt so good, so right...

He could feel her affection, all the affection she had built up for him in the space of an instant, not even a week, as a result of what could only be a kind of love at first sight.

And the giant remained only a man, or more precisely, a human being. Of course he felt his heart uncontrollable. For who wouldn't feel good after kissing someone who loved us?

He went back to his room, took off his clothes and threw himself on his bed. Exhausted, physically, spiritually and emotionally. And as he closed his eyes, about to fall asleep for a long night of restoring his energy.

Until he thought of one thing.

That the only two women he remembered kissing were both white-haired women who had almost killed him.

He laughed slightly, thinking that if he continued on his way, all the leaders of reunion would pass on the line.

Except Crownslayer... Since she was a redhead.

And Patriot... Because last time he checked he had a coc.

A/N: And yes, I know I'm doing up to some shenanigans, but no, I'm not going to genderbend Patriot.

He didn't really know what for, but as he was about to fall asleep, he couldn't help but think of Talulah.

Hoshiguma got off her motorcycle, taking off her helmet, closing the door of her garage behind her. Stretching her shoulders after a long day of work, full of twists and turns. She climbed the stairs outside her house, leading to the second floor and the living area of her apartment.

Before discovering a familiar figure on the porch.

Fumizuki: Good evening inspector.

The oni was surprised to see the princess of Higashi, outside the L.G.D. tower, without her bodyguard, and what's more, right in front of her house.

Hoshiguma: Ma'am? Can I help you?

Fumizuki: I came to see Ch'en.

The oni was startled when she heard that, and blushed slightly.

Fumizuki: You don't have to make that face. I know she spends her nights here.

It was a little embarrassing for the inspector, this last week, taking advantage of the doctor's absence from her apartment she had spent every night with the lung to "appease her season". And then with the relationship between Ch'en and Fumizuki, it was for her like seeing the mother of her lover in front of the door of her apartment while they had not announced to anyone their relationship.

But surely it was because Fumizuki was the kind of person who could feel those things.

Hoshiguma: I...

Fumizuki: I know you inspector, I prefer it to be you rather than anyone else.

Hoshiguma: Thank you, ma'am...

So this is how boys felt when they introduced themselves to their lovers' parents?

The oni opened the door, letting the princess in.

Hoshiguma: I left a little earlier... Ch'en should be back any minute...

Wanting to change the subject, and lighten the conversation, the princess opened her mouth.

Fumizuki: I thought the CB 1000 R was too expensive?

The oni started to smile, the princess engaging him in the only topic of conversation they really shared. Motorcycles.

Hoshiguma: Did you recognize it by the sound?

Fumizuki: Of course!

she said with pride.

Hoshiguma: I bought it with my last paycheck...

She said, rubbing the back of her neck, aware of the fact that she was spending almost all her money on her motorcycles.

Fumizuki: I'm not surprised about that...

A slight laugh escaped from her lips.

Hoshiguma: I guess, would you like a tea, or something else?

Fumizuki: Just a glass of water, thanks.

Hoshiguma: Okay...

The oni served her, not used to having such a prestigious visitor in her house.

Her front door opened, letting Ch'en in, the lung immediately taking off her jacket and putting it on the coat rack, dropping her swords, and loosening her tie.

Ch'en: It's me...

When she turned around she was also surprised to see Fumizuki here, and she was surely more embarrassed than Hoshiguma.

Ch'en: Uh... Auntie... Hi...

Fumizuki: Good evening my niece...

The kirin laughed, seeing the lung's face, getting ready to have to make up explanations...

Fumizuki: Oh please Ch'en. You don't have to make that face. I just wanted to have a little chat with you. In a different setting than usual...

The lung lowered her head, after her discussion with Sebastian, she too wanted to lighten her heart.

Ch'en: What did you want to discuss?

Hoshiguma: I will give you some privacy...

She went to her room, slightly embarrassed.

Ch'en: Auntie?

The lung seemed really worried about her aunt. The only good parental figure she had. Fumizuki could of course notice that. And he thought that what the giant told him was true, there were people around her to listen to her complaints.

Ch'en also felt that she wanted to say something.

In a way, Fumizuki had influenced Ch'en to keep her thoughts, her doubts, her hopes to herself. Like a mother's temper that would spill over onto her child.

But it was time to remedy that.

Fumizuki: I think I'm coming to the end my child... It's not really a surprise for you if I tell you that this life in this tower is hellish... Every day I feel like I wake up in a prison.

It was no surprise to Ch'en that her aunt would be unhappy in her life. Prisoner of a golden cage. What was a surprise was that she shared her doubts, but the lung wanted to listen.

Ch'en: And the jailer would be Yenwu...

Fumizuki: Yes... That man disgusts me from the bottom of my soul... I thank the gods that I didn't spend a single night with him...

This was more of a surprise for the lung, expecting her adoptive parents to be at least a little closer...

Ch'en: Really?

Fumizuki: The only thing that makes me his wife was my reluctant agreement that day of our so called wedding... He's trying to get me every day... And still today we fought.

The lung jumped in her chair. Her idea of the relationship between the two Wei was shattered.

Ch'en: Did he hurt you?

She asked worriedly, grabbing her aunt's hand, and mad with rage.

Fumizuki: No. He doesn't have the ability to do that... That idiot still doesn't seem to understand that I am light years ahead of him. I made him bite the dust.

The slight smile she had of her pride faded away.

Fumizuki: I feel like I've been in this cage forever... I can't take it anymore, and when I think about the fact that I'm supposed to be in here for years and years again... I cry my eyes out... I've thought about making him disappear, or running away, but neither of those ideas make sense in the end...

She seemed to be in despair in front of her niece's eyes.

Fumizuki: Not long ago, I was remembered that compared to my life expectancy, I was still young... And this is not the life I want... I want a real life damn it... To live love, to enjoy waking up in the morning.

She rose her eyes with a slight smile.

Fumizuki: To give you a few cousins in the end…

Ch'en felt sorry for the person in front of her. She didn't have time to rank them, but she was one of the most important people for her, in every way.

Ch'en: If only I had known...

Fumizuki: Oh stop... You have other problems to deal with than your aunt's moods...

Ch'en: Don't say that. If only I had known earlier I could have found a way to help you...

She looked at her aunt's hand.

Ch'en: With everything you've done for me... I want you to be happy... If it helps, don't forget that I have an extra room at home. You can stay as long as you want.

Fumizuki: Well... You know I have obligations...

As if suffering from Stockholm syndrome, the princess was about to refuse. But Ch'en went further.

Ch'en: To hell with your obligations. You are still a woman, with your own will, free to choose. My door is open to you.

She almost had tears in her eyes. So much support... She couldn't refuse.

Fumizuki: *sigh* I guess it will do me good...

Ch'en: But I'm not a great cook...

She said, lowering her head.

Fumizuki: I know, young lady. I know you as if I raised you.

She said while pulling the cheek of her niece, the embarrassed lung, stepped back.

Fumizuki: Lord what are you going to do once you get married, let Hoshiguma cook every time?

she asked with the idea to get a reaction from her niece. And reaction there was. The lung tingled redder than ever, her tail swinging left and right with vigor.

Ch'en: I ran into Sebastian today... He is indeed healthy.

The lung began to speak, the kirin remaining silent, preferring not to say anything than to admit that she knew.

Ch'en: He's fighting against one of the triads in the city... We got a little confused about that... But we ended up discussing the past... It was him auntie, he was Simon.

Fumizuki seemed to be a little surprised again.

Ch'en: We told each other everything this afternoon. I told him what connected us to the academy.

She looked up to see the kirin little surprised.

Fumizuki: As soon as you saw him you knew that the two of them were too much alike not to be the same man...

Ch'en: Yeah... I was just so angry... That I was in denial.

Fumizuki: And now?

She asked curious about the connection between these two people.

Ch'en: I guess we're getting along better... But god what an idiot he is ! Tonight I'm sure he's the one who started the fire at the Hai Fuo hotel! He's going to get killed...

Fumizuki: Are you worried?

The lung was once again embarrassed. But unlike the time when Hoshiguma asked her, Ch'en answered honestly.

Ch'en: Yeah... I know that idiot is almost unkillable... But I swear he's going to give me a heart attack...

The kirin took her niece's hand. Feeling that she had an important question to ask.

Fumizuki: Do you still love him?

Ch'en looked in front of her. The princess, fearing the answer of her niece.

Ch'en: I don't love him like I did before... But every time I look at him... I feel the same things... So... Yes... I guess I still love him.

The kirin had a big smile.

What a fool she was…

For a moment, she had really believed it...

The kirin felt her heart clench. But that was overridden by the feeling of wanting her niece to be happy.

Fumizuki: He's a good man...

She looked at the door of the oni's room.

Fumizuki: That's a problem, though...

Ch'en: You bet... I wouldn't have been surprised to find some surprises if I looked with the blue light when I arrived...

Fumizuki: O-oh.

It was the princess's turn to feel embarrassed when she heard about the triangle...

Ch'en: If I wanted I could have both at the same time.

Fumizuki: And you don't want it?

The lung jumped, the red tingling in her cheeks. At the question that the kirin had asked out of pure curiosity.

Ch'en: I don't know...

In his penthouse, Wei Yenwu was watching the news about a fire. Swirling the ice cubes in the glass in his hand. The alcohol and his season was slowly driving him crazy. The memories of his humiliation replaying in his mind.

His thing... his object...

His possession that dared to rebel. He had the power, the influence, the money. So why?

Why was she still refusing the inevitable?

He gritted his teeth.

He was finally going to show this bitch who she belonged to.

The only option remaining was to make her accept by strength. He put his glass on the table, and went towards the door leading to the room of the kirin. Just ahead.

Wei: Guards.

His shadow guards appeared out of thin air.

Wei: Break down the door, and immobilize her.

His smile was carnivorous and insane.

The guards complied, breaking down the door and throwing themselves inside. But after three seconds, the statement came back.

Guard: She's not here.

Wei: What do you mean?

The shadow guards, loyal to the doctor, had hidden the princess' escape from their companions. And they didn't say anything, so as not to destroy their cover.

Guard: She is not in her room.

Wei: Then where is she?!

Guard: We don't know.

The lung clenched his jaw, mad with rage. As soon as he puts his hands on her,

she'll regret it, for all her miserable life.

A/N: That's a wrap people. Surely next chapter won't be nearly as long. And i still take a long ass time to update, but two good news, we're almost over with this arc, and secondly, i should get a bit more time to write with the school year closing on. No promises tho lmao.

Also FFS when will we get Talulah or Mandragora playable, not complaining about the ops of 4th anniversary but jeez, i want to play with the hot bad girls.