The sky was light, as was the breeze that danced through a small valley in the mountains of east Homstala. Tucked into the end of the valley was a small lodge, even if it looked rather unkempt it still looked like someone was living inside of it thanks to the smoke coming out the makeshift chimney.

Birds dashed away from the lodge as a heavy knock on the door rings out from the outside, a moment after the door opened.

The owner of a lodge stood shocked, his black eyes locking onto the figure in front of him, who looked back with their light blue eyes.

"Y-You...?"

...

What stood before him was Altara Dogma, dressed in a black hoodie with crimson jeans, the hood was down. The descendent of the wolven royal family kept a firm look at the lodger, who was Krow, the former Kalamitus member. This was the first time they had seen each other since the breakout of the Civil War of Wrathak, and also the first time Altara had seen an unmasked Krow. Krow's long black hair trailed down his back just past his shoulders, his face was pale with bags under his black eyes. Altara's black hair had grown out more, going just past his eyebrows but not enough to go in front of his eyes.

Krow tensed up, grimacing and frowning as he stood back slightly. "You should know I'm not with the empire anymore so why are you here?!"

...

Altara finally spoke after a moment of silence. "I am here to collect something you have of mine." Altara looked ahead inside of the lodge. "May I come in?"

Krow spaced out a moment in confusion, before moving to the side. "Come in.."

Altara walked in and Krow quickly glanced outside to make sure Altara was alone, he then shut the door behind Altara as he walked in. The two sat inside of the lodge at a table next to a lit fireplace on wooden chairs.

"So what is it you want exactly? I would rather this be quick.."

Altara leaned on the table with his right elbow as he dragged down the lower eyelid of his left eye slightly.

"This..."

Krow leaned back in confusion, squinting as his heart twang. "I..am not sure what you mean."

Altara put his hand back on the table in front of him, looking down as he did so.

"Nero's gift to you, I need it."

Krow shivered at Altara's words, quickly standing up from his chair. "What are you talking about?!"

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Altara looked up at him calmly.

"Krow..you want your sister to have a real burial, yes? Maybe have her ashes so that she is with you forever."

Krow grimaced as his eye quickly beamed a dark blue, a dagger summoning in his hand.

"G-Get out!" Krow yelled as he pointed the dark firey dagger at Altara, who stood up slowly.

"That would be one step further to that normal life you seek. You tried to find it by joining the Wolven Empire but to no avail, you decided to settle down here, now all you need to find your inner peace is to have your sister with you too. Where is she now, Krow? I promise you...I can help you if you help me.."

Krow frowned as he pointed the dagger at the exit. "That is nothing to do with you!"

Altara looked down for a second, reaching inside of his pocket and bringing out two black leather gloves which he put on, unfazed by Krow.

"Okay."

He simply said, walking to the exit. Krow followed him, still pointing the summoned dagger at him.

Altara stopped at the exit for a moment, before looking back at Krow.

"I promise you, once I am done in my mission you will be greatly rewarded for your help."

Krow's eyes narrowed. "Shut up and get ou-"

Altara, before Krow could react, launched a spinning hook kick at Krow's face, causing him to hit his head against the doorframe and hitting the floor, knocked out. Altara then slowly walked over to Krow, crouching next to his unconscious body on one knee. "You were a pain to find, but you are one of many I need."

Altara placed his right hand on Krow's head, magik starting to steam around Altara's body as he grunted, his eyes rolling back. "Return to me, your host, your emperor.."

...

Altara soon stood back up, looking down at Krow. He walked out of the lodge and closed the door behind him, putting his hood up.

"Next stop is Skarka City Prison..hopefully she's there still..that crazy woman."

He glanced over his shoulder at the lodge as he walked out the small valley. "Don't come after me, Krow. You don't want that.." He mumbled to himself.

5 minutes earlier, in an abandoned church to the far south of Homstala.

"Grimjak.." Axel stopped before the entrance of the church, Grimjak standing beside him. "Hm?"

"When you enter this church..you will be met with extreme magikal strain that might kill you." Axel looked at Grimjak with serious eyes. "Are you ready?"

Grimjak looked at Axel, frowning with confusion. "Isn't this a bit sudden?"

"Our conquest will be met with many things you may consider sudden. This is your first experience. Now, are you ready?" Axel spoke to Grimjak as he placed his hand on the doors to the church.

Grimjak looked at the doors for a second, closing his eyes and breathing out before opening his eyes once more. "I am."

Axel pushed the door open on the right side, as did Grimjak on the left side.

Grimjak was instantly hit with a nosebleed as the magikal strain inside the church hit him. He grunted and placed his right wrist under his nose as he looked forward. The church itself was ruined and old. The stained glass windows were mostly smashed in, causing a ray of light from the sun to shine down on the far end of the church. Grimjak was met with a severe headache as he made his way forwards, sensing something underneath the light that shined down.

"I.."

Grimjak fell to one knee as he coughed blood, slowly falling onto his hands and knees. "I....."

He slowly looked up at a very tall figure which had the sun's light shining on them.

....