Jet leaned back on the living room couch with a happy sigh. On his right sat Blitz dumping a pouch of gold coins onto the table before silently counting them. Jet audibly yawned while stretching his arms out above his head. He let his left fall to his side, while he purposely let his right wrap its way around Blitz's shoulder. The girl on his right stopped counting up the gold coins on the table.

"Jet?" she asked without looking up from the coins.

"Yeah, Blitz?" he answered while pulling her closer to him.

"What are you doing?"

"Nothing. Just hugging my favorite girl in the world."

He pulled her closer, her eyes locked on the gold coins. She sighed and shook her head, "What have I told you about interrupting me when I'm dealing with our finances?"

"To not do it," Jet sighed and shook his head before lifting his arm from around Blitz's shoulder, "Sorry."

"Thank you. And it's fine," Blitz went back to counting the coins. The two sat in silence for a time. Then Blitz mumbled something under her breath.

Jet barely caught her words and leaned closer to her, "You say something, Blitz?"

She mumbled again and he repeated his question, leaning closer. Then she grabbed him by the shoulder and pulled him close enough for him to hear her say, "I said we can snuggle when I'm done."

She let him go and leaned forward to hide the blush forming on her cheeks. Jet couldn't help the smug grin coming over his face. He stifled a chuckle and left his lover to counting the coins before putting them back in the pouch. Then, just as she was finished putting the last coin away, he asked her, "So, what do you think of Horace and Gloria?"

"They're wonderful!" she squealed as she dropped the last coin into the bag, "They're so cute! Horace is always looking for ways to help around the house, and Gloria pouts in this way that will just melt your heart! Oh, one time I saw them-"

She went silent.

Jet stared at her with awed eyes.

Bliz cleared her throat as she returned to her neutral expression and body stance, "Urgh, hmm. I mean, they're ok. For kids, I mean. Do wish they would talk to me a bit more though."

"What?" a mischievous grin came over Jet's face, "Disappointed they won't pour their hearts out to you? Thought they would start liking you over Cynthia?"

Blitz elbowed him in the gut, "Shut up. Jerk."

While the blow did make him double over in pain, he still managed to laugh at his teasing getting to his comrade and lover. Blitz angrily crossed her arms and turned away from Jet. Partly because she was mad and partly to hide the embarrassed blush coming over her face. Jet stopped laughing and leaned back in his seat, "Seriously, though. You like them?"

"Yeah. I've always liked kids. They're our future and need to be protected until they're ready for the world. And people like you, me, Sen, and the Heroes are the ones who keep them safe," she explains without looking back at Jet.

Jet hums in understanding, tapping out a meaningless rhythm on the cushions, "Well, then. What would you say about having some of our own?"

Blitz shot to her feet, neutral expression shattering under the weight of Jet's words. Face flushed, eyes wide, and breath coming up short at the sudden question, she turned to face her lover. Jet stared back at her with his rare serious glaring expression. His lips were set in a determined line while his eyes had lost the jovial light to them.

Blitz sputtered as she tried to process Jet's words. She failed and fell back into the couch with her mouth agape in shock, "Wha...how...where did that come from?!"

"It's something I've been thinking about for a while, and I wanted to see how you felt," he shrugged, "So, what? Would you like some or no?"

"No! I mean...yes! I mean...I don't kno...why now?!" she scrambled to form a coherent answer, "Why did you choose to ask right this second?"

"It seemed like a good idea."

"You could've chosen a better time!"

"Which would be...?"

"I don't know but not now!" she groaned and turned away from Jet. The two were silent for a while. As Jet started to silently chide himself for asking the question, Blitz whispered, "Yes."

Jet froze. He turned to regard his girlfriend, a mixture of hope and anxiety overcoming him. He fearfully asked, "What did you say?"

"I...I said yes," Blitz scooted closer to Jet then leaned against him. Her head rested against his chest while her arms wrapped themselves around his waist, "I'd...I'd love to start a family with you. But...not now. Not while we still have to fight to make ends meet."

"I know," Jet let his right arm fall around Blitz's shoulder. He pulled her closer while he spoke, "I was asking about after all of...this.

Jet waved a hand through the air to emphasize his meaning, "When we can stop taking these jobs and putting our lives on the line for a bit of coin. We can find a nice quiet spot, just the two of us, and spend the rest of our lives together."

Blitz took a moment to reply. Then she chuckled, "Hard to imagine that for us...but it would be nice. But what about Sentinel?"

"Already talked to him about it two weeks ago. He told me that we can stop whenever the two of us are ready. Thought he'd be more against it, but he was pretty understanding."

"Oh. That's nice."

"Yeah."

The two lapse into silence. Enjoying each others company and warmth as they thought about the future...their future.

"You are serious right?"

"Yes."

"And this isn't just you trying to make me flustered so you can get me in bed again?"

Jet shook his head, "Come on, Blitz. I don't think about sex that much. I'm not a Mamono."

"Sometimes I wonder about that," she replied. Jet chuckled.

The silence returned.

Then the two of them heard footsteps coming down the stairs and heading towards the living room. The two mercenaries shared a look. Blitz's eyebrows raised in a silent question, answered by Jet shrugging his shoulders. As the footsteps reached the living room, the two of them saw Nicholas enter. His entire body glistened with sweat and rain beneath his torn up and soaked shirt. He wiped his body down with a towel, grunting as he tried to get as much dirt and mud off as possible. Once he was satisfied he folded the towel into a rectangle before tossing it to his left. He waited for the sound of it hitting the laundry basket to reach his ears before walking into the living room. He made a b-line for the empty chair in the corner of the room, turned around, and fell into the embrace of the furniture with a relieved sigh. He slowly closed his eyes while steadying his breath to relax his body.

"You look tired, Nick," Jet shifted in his seat to look at the young man while keeping his arm wrapped around Blitz, "Sen still running you ragged?"

"That's an understatement," Nick answered with a groan as his muscles began to throb, "That guys a fucking madman. Who the hell makes people train when it's raining?"

"The Order," Blitz answered while pushing herself up to lay her head on Jet's shoulder, "It's supposed to get you used to fighting in any and all situations. Sen took that idea to heart."

"Ah," Nick sighed, then quickly sat up in this chair. His eyes opened in surprise as he observed Jet and Blitz, "Wait...does that mean you three were in the Order?"

"Did Sen not tell you?" Jet asked. When Nick shook his head, he shared another knowing look with Blitz. Then turned back to Nick and answered, "Yep. All three of us. Trained by the best that they were willing to spare for us random kids looking for a meal and a good wage. Out of the teachers, Which, admittedly, wasn't that good. We got lucky. Sen was the best instructor they had."

"But...why'd you leave? I didn't know you could leave the Order."

"You can't, usually," Blitz answered with a scowl, "And lets just leave it at that."

Sensing the unsaid meaning behind Blitz's words, Nick let the subject drop. Blitz nodded before asking, "How's your sister holding up?"

"She's doing fine. In the kitchen cooking dinner for everyone right now. Still think she should be in bed though. There's no guarantee she's completely healed."

"Sentinel says she is," Jet answered the concerned brother, "He may be getting old, but he still knows his stuff when it comes to Mana."

"I know, I know. It's just...I'm worried," Nick replied while leaning forward. He placed his hands on his knees while looking down at the floor, "What if there's still some Corrupted Mana left? Or what if other Mamono come here? What if Cynthia doesn't return before then? What should I do if-"

"Woah, Nick," Jet raised a hand to calm the young man, "Calm down. I know you're worried about her, but you gotta stop being so paranoid. Everything's gonna be fine. If anything happens, we'll deal with it. Ok?"

Nick took three deep breaths before he replied, "Ok. Thanks."

"Don't mention it."

Silence.

"Hey, Jet? You and Blitz are...together right?"

"What gave it away?" Jet smirked while moving his arm down Blitz's back to put his hand on her waist. She gasped in surprise, but didn't move away. Instead she snuggled closer to Jet while he kept his eyes on Nick, "But yeah. She's my girl. And the only one in the world for me."

"Flattery will get you nowhere," Blitz said before looking up at Nick, "Why did you ask, Nick?"

Nick cleared his throat as nervousness came over him, "Hmm, well...if one of you got turned into a Mamono...what would the other one do?"

He turned his gaze to the two mercenaries to observe their reactions. As expected, both looked at him with a mixture of surprise and unease. They were silent for two minutes before turning to each other and having another silent conversation. Then Jet replied, "First of all, Nick, if one of us were to get caught and turned, then the other would follow soon after."

"The Mamono tend to not let people get away if they can help it," Blitz elaborated, "And we usually fight together. So, if I got caught, then Jet would get caught and vice versa."

"But what if one of you could get away? What if there was an opening?"

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

Another shared, silent conversation between the lovers. Then Blitz spoke, this time with her eyes firmly on Jet's, "Well, if Sen is still alright, first I would regroup with him. Then I'd come back and take out every single Mamono between me and Jet, grab him, then we'd both leave the continent."

"And go to Zipangu?" Jet finished for her.

Blitz nodded and placed a hand on his arm, "It's not perfect, but at least we would be together."

"Hmm. Guess great minds think alike. Cause I'd do the same," he places his hand on top of hers. He starts leaning forward and Blitz moves up to meet his lips with hers. The two close their eyes-

"Ahem."

Then stop as they remember that Nick is still in the room.

They separate and apologize to the young man. He waves them off while saying, "Nah, it's fine. Thanks for the answers." Then he turns to the window and lets his thoughts wander while watching the rain fall against the walls of the houses outside.

----------------------------------------

When Selina returned to Vinvers, after telling Nikon the same lie she told everyone else, Priest Galoran introduced himself and requested she follow him to the Order's headquarters. She acquiesced, bidding farewell to Nikon and Lucas while the two went to inform the rest of the Guard Captains that the camp would no longer be a problem. Valarie and Spencer chose to accompany her to the headquarters.

At the time, she was relatively excited. Not only would she finally be able to obtain her pardon so she could return to Pran, but she would also get her first real introduction to a main Order branch. This was her chance to gain a real measure of the Order not based off her meetings with less than stellar individuals.

This excitement was soon dissipated. As when she reached the headquarters, they immediately led her to a large amphitheater with a large number of Heroes and Inquisitors a surrounding four meter high circular stage in the center of the room. At the far end stood three seats with foundations that pushed them high enough to easily loom over the stage with numerous Order Icons emblazoned on the white stone.

However, that is not what caught her attention and squashed her elation. Nor did the clear opulence on display that reminded her of the Healing Church. Nor the numerous judging stares from the Heroes and Inquisitors in the room. Though, she did take note of how some of those gathered Agents grew pale or averted their gaze as she entered the room

No. It was the two people on top of the stage. Iron stocks forced them to bow their heads, while their arms were unable to move. Their legs were chained to two holes that led into the waxed wooden stage. Their bodies were thin and the two of them could hardly muster the strength to look at the Huntress as she walked up the stairs at the back of the stage.

At first, she wondered why the Order would do such a thing? Then she reached the center of the wooden stage and everything became clear.

As she stood between the two captives she saw exactly what they were. One was a normal human man with dirty brown rags hanging off his shoulders.

And the other was a white skinned succubus. She had the spaded tail, horns, and exaggerated sexual features that Selina had seen on others of her kind, but her wings were too thin to let her fly. She had pink fur covering her privates but Selina couldn't tell if they were clothes or apart of her body. She was panting and shivering in her bindings, irises shaking as they scanned the entire room. Her tongue hung out of her mouth letting drool leak onto the floor. Her head whipped to her left and she froze as she caught sight of the Huntress. Her tail fell to the floor as her panting turned to whimpering. She struggled against her bonds as she tried to get away from the Huntress.

"Tina?" the man questioned, his hoarse voice indicative of his mistreatment, "Tina? What's wrong?"

The sound of a door slamming open made all heads turn towards the end of the amphitheater. Three priest entered from a side door behind the three seats. They marched up to the seats and ascended steps behind the icons. Selina took note of each priest as they sat down in their "thrones".

The first was Priest Galoran, the man who had brought Selina here. She did not know much about the man but her first impression of him had come when they made it to Vinvers. Nikon had tried to speak to Selina about something, but Galoran physically placed himself in her path to bring Selina here. When Nikon attempted to argue, the priest outright ignored the Mamono's words. He sat in the leftmost chair, narrow judging eyes staring down at Selina.

The second and third priests were strangers. They were both women and one wore a nun's habit that dragged behind her as she walked. Her alabaster robes shined in the bright room. Her face was covered by a thick shawl, hiding any expressions. The only visible part of her body was the small, heart shaped opening on her chest, revealing her ample bosom. She sat in the rightmost chair, tilting her head towards the man still rattling his chains.

The other priestess that took the center seat that stood a head above the others, had a far less conservative garb than the woman on her right. Her neck length black hair flowed freely behind her as she walked, emphasizing the blue streaks that ran across her locks. A version of a nun's habit hung loosely from her shoulders, so low cut that the only part of her bosom that wasn't showing were her nipples.

However, her serious and impassioned expression gave the impression that she didn't care about the improper state of her dress. The gaze she sent at Selina was hard, calculating, and sharp as a knife. The Huntress met girl's crystal blue eyes with an analytical glare of her own...and she couldn't help feeling a small pang of pity for her. Within those eyes shined a sharp hatred and suspicion that reminded her of the few living Church Hunters she faced. A prejudice that ran deep and wouldn't be fixed with a well articulated argument.

The man at Selina's left pulled his chains, pleading eyes locked on the three priests looking down upon the stage, "What's going on? Please, just let us go..."

"Silence the prisoner," Galoran's voice was amplified by the room's walls. Instantly one of the Heroes jumped from the ground onto the stage, placed a hand on the man's head, and forced him to the ground. He grunted in pain as his face hit the hard polished wood below. The Hero, a young boy with flat green hair that covered one of his eyes, released the man's head but didn't leave the stage.

Outwardly, Selina merely watched the events transpire with the patience of a saint.

Inwardly, she was forcing herself to not free the man and succubus, grab their arms, and walk right out the building with them.

With the man cowed, Galoran turned his attention to Selina, "We have gathered today to discuss two matters of grave importance. Sister Viola, Sister Fransica and I shall oversee both of these with the power granted to us by God. Sister Viola, if you would."

The girl in the center chair, now identified as Viola, nodded at Galoran in thanks. She turned her gaze to Selina and said, "Cynthia Albion. You stand accused of the eradication of a pack of Werewolves without an Official Permit from the Order. How do you plead?"

Viola's voice was authoritarian and cold. Selina could feel the indifference within the girl's expression drip from each syllable. Each one making her regret indulging in Galoran's request. She began silently counting backwards from ten to calm herself. While she may disagree with many of the things currently happening around her, it would do her no good to allow her emotions to get the best of her. She needed to remain calm and get through this. Then she could advise Nikon, Spencer, and Valarie on what to do next, meet with Luca and discover what he wanted, and then finally return to Pran where her children were waiting.

She just needed to get through this...

"Guilty," Selina spoke without a hint of hesitation or uncertainty. She saw no reason to lie nor obfuscate the truth. It would only prolong this "trial" far beyond what she was willing to withstand. She continued in her explanation, "However, that was not the only time. All in attendance likely heard of the Demon and Hero found slain in the night? I am the culprit behind that as well."

The room erupted into activity. Whispers, questions, and accusations flew all around as the Huntress' admissions of guilt blew everyone away. The male prisoner looked up at the Huntress with new eyes. Ones filled with fear and trepidation.

Priest Galoran was the first of the three Order Leaders to respond, surprise and shock dripping from his tone of voice, "You admit to committing not one, but two acts considered criminal by the Order?"

"Yes, I do," Selina responded.

"Then could you explain why you so carelessly flaunted the Order's laws meant to keep the citizens of our nation safe from harm?" Viola asked.

"Because if I hadn't, I would've been attacked, captured and possibly monsterized."

"Perhaps you could've chosen to not engage with the Mamono?"

"The werewolves, yes. But the Demon targeted me and had express desire to do me harm. If I had not fought back, something terrible could've befallen me."

"However, you were in Vinvers at that time. You could've come to our Church and asked for assistance."

"It was night."

"The servants of the Order never sleep."

"I find that hard to believe."

"It is-"

"If you are attempting to lead me into saying that I have any remorse for my actions, then I must ask you to stop. I regret none of my actions in both circumstances," Selina crosses her arms over her chest to punctuate her decision, purposely neglecting to mention anything relating to the werewolf children.

Cries of indignation sound throughout the room. Viola began to frown, a crack in her mask of impassivity, but kept her voice level as she spoke, "I see. Thank you for your explanation."

"You are most welcome, Viola," the Huntress was glad that her bandana hid her smirk. While she was loathe to admit it, she did feel a hint of satisfaction at seeing the servants of the Order react to someone who didn't cower before them.

Galoran stood up from his chair, face turning red with rage, "Albion! You will show respect to Priestess Viola and the rules of the Order!"

"I show respect only to those who have earned it. Your actions have ensured you are not counted among them. Now, may we please move on?"

If Galoran's face got any redder, Selina would've mistaken it for an overripe fruit. He shouted at the top of his lungs, "Hero Alistar! Seize Albion, now!"

The Hero still on the stage took one step towards the Huntress.

"Don't try it. You will lose."

His eyes met the cold glare of Selina's. He became weak in the knees, felt his hand drop from the sword at his hip, and took three steps away from the glowering woman in front of him.

"What are you doing?!" Galoran shouted while swiping ineffectively at the air, "Apprehend-"

"Priest Galoran," Galoran stopped as Viola called his name. It took him a moment to realize what he was doing and how he looked to all in attendance.

He cleared his throat to regain his composure and said, "Rescind that order, Hero Alistar. I must apologize for that, Albion. I allowed my emotions to get the better of me."

"True," Selina replied, "but it is not an incorrect response. Though I may disagree with the doctrine, I have still broken it. Which leads me to my next question: What will you all do now?"

Viola and Galoran shared a look and a nod. Galoran began to explain, "According to reports we received from Inquisitors Hector and Mars, you have a unique ability that sounds...like complete nonsense."

"That being, that you have no Mana," Viola's admission made the entire room go silent. The Huntress remained silent, but could tell where they were going with this. The Priestess continued, "As Priest Galoran has said, this information is difficult for us to believe. Mana is in every part of our world. It is a constant that can be found in even the most remote areas of the land. Thankfully, we have a way to prove your claims. Sister Fransica?"

The second Priestess, silent until now, finally stood up from her seat. Twin gloved hands rose from her lap to the shall around her face. With practiced ease she removed it from her head, revealing long purple hair that sparkled in the light of the amphitheater. Selina heard many Heroes and Inquisitors begin to mutter admiring prayers as the woman's soft yet angular features were revealed to all. Her eyes were closed but she did not seem to have any trouble identifying where she was looking. She turned her head towards the Huntress and slowly opened her eyes. Shining purple orbs peered out from beneath long black eyelashes...

...only to shut themselves tight the moment she saw the Huntress.

Followed by the Priestess falling backwards into her chair with a cry of fear.

The room erupted into activity. Half of the Heroes and Inquisitors in the room rushed towards the fallen Priestess, all calling her name or asking if she is hurt. The other half ran up the back of the stage. The ones in the lead stopped at the top step and drew their weapons on Selina, Alistar joining them a few seconds later. The man and succubus both yelped in shock at the sudden shift in the atmosphere of the meeting. They both bowed their heads to the floor in an attempt to keep themselves out of the crossfire. Galoran's eyes were wide as he stared slack jawed at Selina's form. Viola's mask of calm had disappeared, replaced by two shocked eyes as her hands went to her gaping mouth.

Selina?

She began to take charge.

"The Priestess will be fine," she spoke loud enough for the whole room to hear her, "Simply get her to a bed and let her rest. She should awaken by nightfall."

While her orders were clear, it took Viola repeating them before any of the Inquisitors or Heroes actually acted upon them. The Agents who went to check on Fransica began to carry the unconscious woman out of the room. Many of them shot angry glances at the Huntress as they walked out the same door the three Leaders had come in through. Selina rolled her eyes before turning to the two remaining Leaders, "I believe your reports mentioned this happening to a young Hero who came to investigate me, correct? In that case, what just happened to Fransica will have provided the proof you are looking for. May I leave now?"

"Not yet," Viola's answer made the Huntress swear under her breath, "we will need to speak with Fransica later to fully confirm your claims. Until then, there is one other test. Not to determine if your claims are true. But to prove your loyalty to humanity."

Selina knew who she meant when she said "humanity" but merely asked, "And this test is?"

Viola pointed a finger towards the man on the ground, "This man is named Felix Ultor. He was once an Order adherent. The lesser succubus was once Tina Kolto. She was his wife and a fellow adherent, until one day when the two left Vinvers by unfamiliar roads and ended up being attacked by a succubus. They managed to reach the town and escape with the help of the guard, but not before Tina was infected. But rather than reveal this to the Church, Felix left us and hid his wife's condition."

"It was a strange and sudden decision he told no one about. So, Inquisitors were dispatched to investigate the man. We found the two of them three weeks ago living in one of the older sections of Vinvers where our patrols were more lax," Galoran continued while shaking his head, "Thank God Tina was not fully transformed. Otherwise we likely wouldn't have captured the two so easily."

"These two are blights upon this world. Felix for harboring a Mamono, and Tina for being one, even if it is not by her own choice. Thus is your task, Cynthia Albion. Kill these two, and remove two threats from the lands of Vinvers. Do this, and you will not only be absolved of all your crimes, but welcomed into the Order with open arms so you may join the fight for humanity's future."

Viola waved her arm across empty air to emphasize her point. Felix face had turned paler as the woman's speech went on, and now he was staring up at the Huntress with absolute terror in his eyes. He expected to see someone looking back at him with one of two expressions. One of reluctance and a wish to find another path, but ultimately choosing to end his and Tina's lives. Or one of manic glee already asking for a weapon with which to do the deed.

Instead, much to his surprise, he saw a woman standing firm and defiant in the face of Viola's order.

"I refuse," Selina said clearly and without hesitation.