The fire crackled and a loud creak could be heard. Windows shattered one by one and the situation got worse with every second. The heat was unbearable despite being outside and away from the danger. Nathan only smiled at his work as the fire consumed the building and the flames danced in the night. Though it roared fiercely as it burned, it could not drown out the screams.

A soft chuckle escaped him.

The stench of death reached Nathan, and yet, he was unfazed.

He watched the destruction unfold as the darkness was chased away by the towering flames.

"Enjoying yourself there, Nate?"

"Well, this is my favorite part." He answered. "Having fun is important, and you can't tell me otherwise. Did you find the guy?"

The nameless man jabbed a thumb over his shoulder. "Yeah, he really thought he could run. As expected from an idiot like him."

Nathan grinned devilishly. "Is that so?"

He walked over to a man bound in chains, the fear in their eyes was apparent as Nathan drew closer.

"Gary! You missed the whole party, old pal! Why did you run, dude?"

Gary couldn't make an excuse thanks to the tape on his mouth. Even if he could, Gary was too scared of the two to even say anything.

"Listen, I know what we did was a little extreme, but you and your pals should've listened to the boss. Heck, maybe after this the other gangs will be mindful of who they mess with. Honestly, it is a real shame that we had to end like this."

Nathan ripped off the tape and nearly Gary's mouth along with it.

"Now, are you sorry for what you did?"

"I didn't know!" Gary stuttered out. "I didn't know that she was Connie's girl! They- I didn't even know Connie had a family! I swear!"

"Yeah," Nathan's partner chuckled at the pathetic image of the man. "They aren't the type to talk about us. But that doesn't change the fact that one of your boys robbed and harmed my sister."

Nathan turned his attention back to the fire. He heard Gary whimper and cry out in pain as his partner stomped at the bound man. As much as he wanted to watch Gary suffer, Nathan was too focused on the dancing flames.

"Listen, Gary, Nate and I had to go all this way to clear out this little misunderstanding-"

"That's right! It's a misunderstanding! We didn't know, so please, let me go!"

"As I was saying!" The man stomped once more, but something snapped this time. Gary's screams filled the air after. "We didn't mean to burn down all your hard work like that. But, everyone gotta learn that you don't mess with us."

"Wait, no!"

With a flash of gold and a smoldering crater after, Nathan was alone with his partner. "Job is done," They said. "So, wanna grab some food before we go back?"

"Sure- you're buying, right?"

"I paid last time, it's your turn!" He sighed. "What about the fire? Don't think we can just leave it like this."

"As soon as we're gone, the clean-up crew will make sure this doesn't get out of hand. So we better hurry, or else the boss is gonna chew us a new one."

The two walked away from the destruction they caused, Nathan didn't look back but he did hear something collapse. All in a day's work.

"I heard you talked to my mom," His partner shot a suspicious glance at him. "What's this about going to Stalfos?"

Nathan sighed. "A really big job she wants me to do. We found a way to use that private Gate leading to Stalfos, and Connie wants one of us to infiltrate the Bloody Tyrant's inner circle. I'm the guy she's sending."

His partner scowled. "And she didn't think of sending me?"

"Listen, kid, it's not about being stronger, it's about who is disposable. I just fit the bill. And don't think Connie believes that you're weaker, she just doesn't want to lose someone as valuable as you."

"Why can't she send dad then?"

"Because he's doing a different job."

"So what, is this our last job together before you get sent off the planet?"

"Guess it is."

"If that's true, then we gotta have a party! Hell, we can invite your friends. Maybe even that girl you've been eyeing, huh?"

Nathan chuckled. "Nah, I don't want anything fancy like that, honestly. I'd rather spend the last few weeks preparing."

"Come on, a few drinks and some pretty gals? Why would you pass up the chance?"

A smile grew on Nathan's face. But it wasn't normal as it was accompanied by a murderous aura. "Because I am stoked to finally be away from that freak."

His partner stuttered in his step. A worried glance was sent over to Nathan.

"Don't get me wrong, Connie has been fair all my life. But she's been stuck on her high horse for far too long. Thinking that she is all that, it disgusts me." That dangerous smile was still present on his face. Yet he spoke with malice laced on his tongue. "When I'm gone, I'll be glad that I'd be a few stars away from her. And when I'm ready, I'll cut her down a peg."

"Nathan,"

"I'm just so fond of proving them wrong," Nathan chuckled with demented glee. "Watch me, when I get back I'll be stronger than ever!"

His partner sighed. "Nathan, calm down. I get that you and my mom don't see eye to eye; but if you try anything, you know I'll stop you, right?"

"Yeah, I know." Nathan admitted. "So, what are you hungry for?" The mood changed like a flick of a switch. Nathan's face removed that dangerous smile and adopted a soft smirk.

His partner shrugged their shoulders. "Heard those instant self-cooking noodles are great, I think I want to try them."

"Eh, sure, and we can even grab some sodas. Hey, you gonna miss me when I'm gone, pal?"

"Well, yeah! If anything, the others will too!"

Nathan chuckled. "I'll miss you too, Ezra."

"Who's Ezra?"

Nathan shot up with a jolt accompanied by a loud screech. Woken up from a strange dream, he was greeted by a strange masked man in a business suit. His mechanical hands clasped together over the table as he stared at Nathan for who knows how long.

He finally remembered.

Everyone was arrested after battling Jackie and Zero. Now he was seated in an interrogation room where the cops tried to get him to confess to a crime he didn't commit.

Or that would've been the case.

The scene was something else. Instead of the cold gray concrete of the police station, he was met with a soft cream wallpaper and several tables. There were people, all mingled and chatted. A restaurant?

"Where am I?"

"Gerald's Resto, you wouldn't wake up so your friends brought you here. They are currently doing their own things that do not concern me."

"Wait," His eyes widened. "You're The Masked Lawyer! Hero of Titus and Defender of the Innocent!"

"Please, call me Kam, that name is too much of a mouthful to address me every time."

"Can I have your autograph!?" Nathan wasted no time and produced a small notebook. "You were awesome back in season 50 of Justice and The Peacekeepers!"

"Didn't take you as a fan," Kam said. "Well, let me just grab my pen and then we can talk business after."

Nathan watched with bated breath as the hero signed his notebook with an inspiring message along with it.

"So, Nathan, aren't you lucky that I saw your case before they slammed the doors shut on you."

Nathan arched a brow.

"Ah, you're confused. Tell me, are you a Christian? It says that you are."

"Yeah?" He couldn't tell where Kam was going with the conversation.

Stolen novel; please report.

"It doesn't paint you in a good light, honestly. No one exactly… likes Earth religion on the count of… well, the GCC."

"Hold on now! The only reason I am is because of my friend, Father Abraham, he's a Redeemer!"

"Yes, and?" Kam sighed. "GCC isn't just a human-only faction. Sentinels, Redeemers, and other non-human races."

"They thought that I'm a terrorist?"

Kam clasped his hands together again. "They have reasonable concerns. The GCC has been against the Great Pantheon for far too long now. And Titus had some bad experiences with the group. Luckily for you, your name is clean all thanks to my status and interest in your case. I just needed to walk into that police station and tell them I wanted to represent you. Then poof, they let you and your friends out."

"That's amazing! So they won't mistake me as a guy from the GCC?"

"Well, as long as you stay out of trouble. And I can't exactly say that your friend Jonah is out of the woods yet. Seeing as he brought enough firearms to go on a rampage. I suggest that he should keep his choices to a minimum of two."

"Excuse me!" Both looked down to see Gluttony with a tray over her head. Still disguised, thankfully. "Your coffee is here, Mr. Dorr!" She was still in her Martian disguise.

It was a struggle, but Gluttony placed Kam's order on the table along with an extra cup for Nathan.

"Just the way you like it, Nate!" With that, she ran off back into the kitchen. And Nathan was left with a few questions.

"Interesting," Kam muttered aloud. "That your friend there seems to be experienced with being a waitress."

"Ah, well, she used to work at a diner. This is just natural for her." A partial truth.

"I see." Kam placed a straw in the cup and pressed the end against his mask. "You don't have to pay me, my service is free. But, if you ever got into trouble again, and you are indeed innocent, then do not hesitate to call me."

Nathan simply nodded and drank from his cup. An iced latte to cool him off. Though he'd rather have something warm after his skirmish with Jackie and Zero. Still, he couldn't deny his favorite class of coffee.

"Give Gerald my thanks for this lovely drink." Kam gathered his belongings and pushed himself up. "Remember, don't be shy when you need to prove your innocence. This is farewell, for now, Nathan."

"Wait, I wanted to ask you about Justice!"

Kam chuckled. "Why Nathan, all you can learn about him is available from the show!"

Nathan watched as Kam made his leave. The lawyer gave Nathan a wave goodbye before he walked out the door.

Nathan decided to enjoy his drink as he waited for his friends. As he did so, he kept an eye on Gluttony as she zoomed in and out of the kitchen like there was no tomorrow. It certainly was just natural to the puppet, as if she belonged in this place. And he couldn't deny it, she was in her element.

But there was still an issue he hadn't dealt with yet. A name. Nathan couldn't tell if it was just a dream or a memory. All he knew was that whoever Ezra was, they were very important to him.

******

Crow felt the puddle splash against his coat. A disgusted growl escaped him as he shook his foot.

But just as he was done, he snapped his eyes toward the end of a long alleyway. "They said someone from the Great Pantheon was after me. Never did I think Mr. Chompers is the one who they sent."

"Crow, the Champion of War." Kalasraast stepped out of the shadows. "You have been left unchecked for far too long. We have reasons to believe that you are developing a weapon that could be dangerous to society."

The man laughed at the ascended Apex. "If it was a weapon, I would've used it by now. No, it's just a little project that'll throw your socks off for sure."

"And how, exactly?"

Crow said nothing and simply raised his pistol at Kalasraast. But then his arm shifted around and pointed the weapon at another person. It was no coincidence that they were there with them.

"I finally found you!" The woman with crimson red skin snarled.

She was a strange woman. Dressed like a cheerleader yet wearing the gear of a football player. Some might even think that she was the sporty type, or simply that she tried too hard to be seen as one. Especially when she had a bat in her hands.

"Devina, what are you doing here?" Kalasraast demanded to know.

"To show Callisto who's the best!" Devina pointed her weapon at Crow. "And pummel her champion into the ground!"

"Sure you will," Crow chuckled. "You're just a weak little nobody who wants to be at the grown-up table."

"You piece of rodent carcass." She shook with immense rage.

Kalasraast sighed as he sensed the growing tension. "I wanted this to go peacefully, but it seems that you will not surrender so easily."

"With the freak around? I would've just talked this out with you, big man." Crow's eyes glowed intensely. The ground beneath their feet snapped open and out crawled his skeletal pawns. "Today will be fun for sure. And I get to beat two gods in one session."

******

The door flew open and slammed against the wall. Nathan strode in carelessly as his friends followed.

Everything was dank and humid. The carpet spat out clouds of dust with every step. Cobwebs littered every corner of the room. It made Ivory sick in her stomach to see a room in such disarray.

"This place needs fire to clean it up." Ivory noted as she stared at a mossy patch on the wall.

Jonah nearly slipped on a glass bottle that was carelessly left in the center of the room. Gluttony noticed this and mocked him for it.

"This is how your brother left it," The landowner said. A frail old man who looked like the wind could push him over. "I don't know anything else, I'm sorry."

"It's alright, but how come you left this apartment alone?" Nathan asked.

"You see, I am still receiving payment every month. So I assumed that Lucas still wanted the place. But seeing you here now, I am doubting it."

That was strange, the old man still got paid for an unused place for at least three years.

"I hope you can find your brother soon, he was a good man." Such lies are planted in their minds. Nathan wondered who else fell for Hound's deceit.

The group was alone to search around the apartment. Jonah and Gluttony were reluctant but scouted the place anyway. Ivory was already cleaning up the mess that was left behind.

"Honestly, your past self is strangely addicted to these Lemon Blast sodas. I think there's over a hundred of these bottles!"

Nathan could only agree with Ivory.

He couldn't help but gag at the disgusting display. So much filth and dust, enough to choke a man.

"You guys find anything?" He asked the other two.

"Only a bunch more of Lemon Blast." Jonah scoffed after he opened a door. "Is this the bathroom?"

"Hey, Nathan! I found some clothes! I think you can still wear them if you like!" Gluttony went straight into the bedroom where she was rummaging through Hound's clothes.

Nathan turned to the capsule. "Have you been here before, Phantom?"

"No, but you did tell me about some hidden credits you left." Phantom wrote. "Behind the nightstand, a zip lock bag taped on the surface."

He relayed the information to Gluttony and there was indeed some treasure behind the furniture. "Hey, there's something else!"

Gluttony rushed out of the bedroom. The promise of something worthwhile had caught everyone's attention. In her tiny hands were indeed some abandoned cash, but also a strange note. She wasted no time and took it out of the zip lock for everyone to read.

There was only strange writing on it.

"Conquestum, sanguinem et potestatem?" Ivory read.

Nathan's eyes widened as much as they could. "Wait, what did you say?"

"It's Latin. Conquest, blood, and power. Hound is strangely fascinated by those three words if he kept a secret note of it."

"That's what he said…" Nathan muttered to himself as he recalled the gibberish from his dream. He tried to recall more of it, but couldn't form the right words in his head.

"Conquestum, sanguinem et potestatem." That was all he could remember from the strange dream. This felt like a vital piece of information.

"Man, are we gonna find out that Hound was part of some cult?" Jonah grinned at Nathan.

"I fricken hope not. Last thing I need now is some freaky cult looking for me."

Ivory looked up from the note. "Technically, a cult is already looking for you, with the Bloody Tyrant."

"The Bloody Tyrant runs her business more like a violent corporation." Their attention snapped toward the newcomer. Quickly, they armed themselves as a familiar face popped up. Wicked, the Champion of Umbra.

"The hell are you doing here?"

"I was on the hunt and noticed you bunch were here. So I was curious what you all were planning."

Jonah laughed at her. "Don't worry, we're just planning to clean up and move here! Hey, while you're at it, maybe you should help out!"

"Let me at her! Let me at her!" The giant sickle struggled a little in Nathan's hands as Gluttony displayed her lust for violence.

Nathan did his best to calm his partner. "Easy, G, we don't want to cause the landlord any trouble."

"Stay your hand, I am not here to fight."

They doubted the machine.

"You are free to believe my words, but I will not leave, for it is my choice." They watched as Wicked walked in without a care in the world. She ignored Nathan and the others and placed her attention on a single corner.

"Jonah, keep an eye on her." Ivory ordered.

"Will do."

The rest continued their search around the apartment but kept their guard up in case Wicked proved to be a liar.

It was foolish to believe her, but they were still fresh from yesterday's fight. Jonah was the only one who came out of it unscathed so him being the one to keep an eye on the machine was the best choice.

But if she proved to be too much, Ivory was just an arm's reach.

"Hey, how do you know Latin?" Nathan asked Ivory.

"It's an Earth dialect, we Sentinels pride ourselves on knowing all languages of that planet. Especially after the Tower of Babel incident."

Jonah voiced his curiosity about the tower.

"Humans wanted to reach God and together they built a tall tower. But the Father didn't like it, so He ruined their communication and prevented the completion of the Tower of Babel."

They heard Wicked scoff with her distorted voice. "That story sounds foolish when you account for the rest of the galaxy."

"Because I was there," Was Ivory's claim. "I watched those humans build that tower brick by brick, and He knew their intentions."

"That doesn't explain why other star systems have such diverse languages."

"That's up to you to find out,"

Ivory continued cleaning the apartment.

Nathan entered the kitchen area. Now that he looked at it, this place reminded him of theirs. The layout was the same, and everything was almost familiar if it weren't for the places of the furniture.

It seemed that his friends hadn't noticed the strange coincidence.

He stopped as something caught his eye.

A wallet, forgotten on the countertop just next to a moldy pile on a plate. There were no creds in it, only a driver's license. His face- no, Hound's smiling face looked back at him.

There was more.

A picture with three people in it, one of them was Hound, a nameless girl, and finally, Ezra.

Ezra was younger, he had short hair and eyes red as crimson. It was somewhat familiar to Nathan and he didn't know why.

The boy wore what looked to be a uniform, with a green blazer and a yellow-striped green tie. There was a symbol on his chest pocket but was covered by Ezra's thumb-up gesture.

The woman almost shared a resemblance with Ezra. She was in a similar uniform as the former as well albeit having a skirt instead of pants. Were they related? Then it hit him, she was Ezra's sister.

Was that dream a memory?

Before he could dwell any further, Nathan felt a dangerous aura behind him. If they could, they'd be breathing down his neck.

"Take a step back, rust bucket." Jonah warned Wicked.

She was right on Nathan. Her mechanical frame towered over his with deadly intent. Despite being caught by the marksman, Wicked kept her glare on Nathan.

"Why?" The machine muttered, but it was loud enough for Nathan to hear.

"Why what?" He shot back.

"Why is the daughter of Kalasraast so focused on you? I've seen what you're capable of, and it's laughable. Don't get me started with that human weakness that you proudly flaunt around." She moved just close enough for Nathan to see that malicious glint in her eye. "Yet she persists in throwing you in situations unfit for you to be in."

"I don't have the answer for that." Nathan said as he kept Phantom hidden from her point of view.

"Yes, of course, you don't." She pulled away but the tension was still high. "Tell me, how much has changed ever since you were targeted by the Bloody Tyrant?"

"A lot, honestly. Are you trying to say something here? Because I don't follow."

"Do you even know about the bounty she placed on your head? Judging by the looks you all have, none of you were wise about those bounty hunters that went after you, Nathan."

Jonah scoffed. "Now I know you're making things up, I have not seen another bounty hunter after what happened in the diner."

"You're welcome." She said to Jonah.

That was when Ivory finally joined in. "Wait, you said that Nathan has a bounty, and you've been dealing with those who wanted to cash in the kill? If so, why bother? Don't think someone like you is in it for the money."

"He's my prey. Nothing matters more than the hunt. And if anyone's going to bring him in, it'll be me."

"Aw, you love him." Jonah cracked out a joke at the worst possible moment.

Nathan didn't realize that he was worth more than enough trouble to garner the attention of the bad kind. He asked her how much was anyone willing to put in the effort just for his head, and the answer wasn't good.

It was a tempting price, and none knew what he was capable of so no one was discouraged in any way. The only thing they would know was that Jonah and Ivory were always around him as well as the Gluttonous Maw being in his possession.

"So," Wicked sauntered up to Nathan. "After dealing with another hunter that dared to cross my path, I decided that the best way to make sure no one touches you is to be present. Once they see me, none of them will think twice about leaving you alone."

Nathan raised a brow. "With all the resources in the world, couldn't you just tell them that I'm off limits?"

"I tried that, but it didn't work. Now, you've asked your questions and I answered. Tell me why the Bloody Tyrant is after you."

Jonah sighed as if he was tired of a child's mischievous behavior. "We already told you, we have no freaking clue! Hell, all we do know is that she likes giving us tests!"

"There has to be something more." Wicked argued. "I knew that girl since she was just a child. Once something catches her attention, one that really piqued her interest, she never stops until it is dead."

"If you know how her head works, why don't you give us a guess, huh?"

Wicked glared at Jonah for a moment. "Because I do not have the clues to build a conclusion."

"You want to know?" Phantom finally wrote. His words are visible for everyone to read. And Wicked had a look of bewilderment as she stared at them. "Because for once, Nathan survived the wrath of the Bloody Tyrant when no one did. She suspects that he is immortal. And he died once."

Wicked couldn't believe Phantom, but something deep within her did. She looked at Nathan oddly as she registered the explanation.

"Carry on." Wicked retreated into a corner where she spectated in silence. The others couldn't tell what she was planning exactly but knew there was no point in questioning.

As for Wicked, she studied what she learned today to achieve a grasp of all this.

To summarize, Nathan "Hound" White was terminated with Evie being the culprit behind his death. Yet the words claimed that Nathan somehow returned from the dead. And reasonably enough, Evie focused her attention on him for this strange turn of events.

Wicked mostly kept an eye on Nathan as he wandered around the apartment searching. Though the tension was gone, none of them lowered their guard.

"What's the point?" Wicked wondered to herself. She could've taken Nathan away, but something about his situation confused her.

Until then, she would make sure no one else went after him for that bounty.

***