There is an account from a man during the Pre-Collision Era describing the Continent he lived in was like Men smoking around combustible materials, and how it's one spark away before they are consumed in a fire that will kill them all. That account best describes the events that have happened after Mark’s Trial months later and this caused the entire Masterdom of Archiman to be split in half internally.

And they are on the verge of a great schism.

Mark and Miriam were walking in the mansion of the Archimans, it was the first time in years since Mark had step foot on this place it’s wide carpeted halls and marble pillars gave off a majestic feel with a glass ceiling letting the bright afternoon sunlight to peer down upon them like a natural spotlight, it was not the first time nor will it be the last time he had been on this place but even then he couldn’t help but be amazed at the wealth of the Archimans despite their more humble origins. The reason why they are there? To simply reunite with Gray who was busy the last few months, but there was something Mark didn’t expect.

“So you are her bodyguard is that it?” Mark asked Cecil who was watching them from afar as they were casually leaning on a wall with a smile on their face while shouldering a shotgun.

“That’s right, it’s my job to make sure that the Mistress is Safe, even if her closest friends are present.” Cecil said walking towards with a confident smile on their face.

“You must be quite the fighter to be able to protect her, or perchance you do not know what she is capable of.” Mark commented as Cecil stood before him given how close he was to Miriam and Gray, Mark concluded that this Cecil is a massive threat. Hence why Mark is somewhat hostile towards him, though for some reason Miriam just finds their bantering somewhat amusing.

“I see you two are getting along well,” A familiar voice said behind them, a smile made it’s way to Mark’s lips subconsciously as he turned around to find Gray in a nice casual set of clothes that gave her a boyish charm. Mark couldn’t help but be at awe at her beauty as though he couldn’t believe that this young girl was a cross dresser in the past.

“Good to see you again Gray,” Mark said trying his best to calm his breathing to ease the sudden spike in his heart rate.

Curse you Teenage Hormones, making me act like this around her. Mark thought as she and Mark got into a small talk, as soon as she wasn’t looking Mark placed a hand on his chest and started taking deep breaths unfortunately Cecil caught noticed that and gave him a teasing smile which infuriated Mark.

"I heard about the Trial the other day I was genuinely concerned so I sent Cecil to help out." Gray said with a smile. According to her, Cecil had informed her of Mark's arrest so they offered to help in out considering the Dirus Family has been a close ally with the Archiman Family. And then there's the fact that the husbands are brothers making them paternal cousins.

"That's somewhat risky considering this would make it look like your family has been favoring my family." Mark said narrowing his eyes at Gray.

"I mean we're cousins right wouldn't it make more sense that we favor family." Gray said with a mischievous grin on her face. Which was true due as the only reason that they aren't treated as royalties is the fact that the ones leading the Dirus family is the one yhat isn't directly related to the Archimans.

"Well that's true but still it was risky, besides I could have weaseled my way out of the situation." Mark said confidently.

"Even if you were chained and held both at Gunpoint and Flamethrower Point?" Cecil and Miriam asked in unison.

"Even if I was chained and held at weapons point." Mark said not bothering to look at them.

“Well threats aside follow me, I’ve invited you both to a special conference.” Gray said as she made her way towards the entrance of the hall where they are greeted with a handful of other young nobles, including Gaige, who were more or less successors or heirs to various Greater Settlements within the Country all of them appear to whisper to one another wondering why were they invited by the Princess of the Archimans.

And while all is this is happening, Mark’s eyes landed on Clint Festus who was glaring holes at him alongside his younger sister Alice Festus who was in a heated stare off with Miriam. Both of them having curly green hair and dull green eyes, though interestingly Alice has black hair instead of green hair.

Guess the bad blood between the Dirus and the Festus run so deep that the heirs even carry it huh, Mark thought realizing this rivalry could be his ticket into instigating a Civil War and his family’s ascension into becoming the hand of the Master of Archiman.

Eventually the whispering subsided as Gray stood at the Center alongside Cecil, likely for security as Cecil was gripping the Shogun ready in case the other heirs would make a move.

“Everyone, I gathered you all here today in hopes that together we can form an organization. An organization that focuses on the greater good of the Nation where the Neogean Charter cannot provide.” Gray said as Cecil handed her a banner with it’s flag still wrapped around the very pole, she held the banner up high and allowed the flag to unfurl showing a purple Amaryllis and placed it at the center of the ground.

“I stand before you all offering a chance to join the Order of the Amaryllis,” She said proudly. “So who will join me?”

So basically an organization designed to good work outside the Charter, Mark thought to himself as he placed a hand on his chin weighing in the benefits and the flaws within joining such organization. From the corner of his eye he was being watched by Clint who was wondering if he will join or not, all the while Alice is going about talking to the other young nobles who was unsure of joining.

“How does the membership work? Is it one member represents the family we’re aligned with?” Mark said raising his hand causing Gray to smile.

“Good question, no, the membership is above the loyalties and allegiance within Archiman. Meaning you and your sister can join.” Gray smiled at him as though she was expecting him to join. When all this is happening some members lined up towards Cecil who carried a notebook which contained what is most likely the manifesto of their organization for them to sign pledging their loyalty to the Order.

Once more, Mark spotted Clint eyeing him wondering if he’ll join or not.

“Then I decline,” Those were the words that made Gray’s look of elation be replaced with shock alongside Miriam who had already signed the Manifesto while Gaige was still lined up. To Gray, she was expecting Mark to join the most alongside Gaige and Miriam.

“That’s good because we don’t need your kind here!” Clint spoke up causing everyone to look at Clint with surprise. “Mark Dirus.”

“And what do you mean by that, Clint Festus.” Mark replied narrowing his eyes at him, he knew what he meant but he wanted to make things clear so he can get him to slip.

“You heard me you mutt!” Clint said with a smirk walking towards him and bumped his chest. “I know what we saw, you’re a Mage. A walking atrocity.”

“The trial is over Festus, I’m innocent.” Mark replied with a calm look on his face despite the fact he was very much excited to punch him in the face.

“The only reason you got off the hook was because your family has ties with the Archimans. You and your family are nothing more than parasites.” Clint said leaning close towards him. Before Mark can reply Gaige stood between them alongside several other Nobles who were worried that they’ll start a fight in the middle of meeting.

“Back off Festus,” Gaige said with a scowl on his face, who was very much eager to throw hands with the Festus.

“It’s alright Gaige, they’re all bark and no bite anyways.” Mark replied with a smile causing Clint to scowl at Mark all the while Miriam and Gray started walking towards his side alongside the few members who didn’t hate the Dirus Family.

“I’m sorry Gray, Miriam, I won’t be joining the Order.” Mark said walking away, soon afterwards he found himself by the steps and was ready to wait by the car until he heard someone call for him. He turned around to find Cecil running towards him with a worried look on their face.

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“Don’t let him get to you, Festus is always been like that.” Cecil said few steps upwards.

“Thank you for your kind words Cecil but don’t worry I don’t plan on joining in the first place.” Mark replied in a low voice as he watched Gaige follow after him. The ideals of the Order might not be in line with my goals anyways.

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[Rise of the Dark Hound]

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“What do you think?" Miriam said standing before Mark as she was now dressed up in the uniform of the Amaryllis Knights, colloquial term for the Order of the Amaryllis, this outfit comprised of a shirt with detachable sleeves and a pair of shorts which further emphasized her legs.

"Isn't that showing too much?" Mark asked concerned at what they are making her wear.

"It fits with my combat style," She said showing off her pistols as she got into various flexible stances.

According to Miriam after Mark and Clint started a scene within the meeting hall, the Order were smaller than expected with the total being split into three groups. First group was filled with people like Mark who believed the Order would get in the way of their own motivations. Second group was filled with people who think the Order was nothing more than a naive princess playing soldier like Clint. And third were the believers who genuinely believe the Order can make a difference as a whole, the believers were the ones who ended up being the members of the order.

In fact Miriam was given Rank of First Grand Officer making her second in command.

"You really should have joined, you'd make a great Knight." Miriam said as she proceeded to walk out of the room to show off her new uniform in front of their parents. Meanwhile Mark just sat there in his room with a sigh as he was thinking his next move.

Namely how to instigate a Civil war so he can elevate his family.

The door bell to the main doors rang, prompting Mark to get up and make his way towards the front door and to his surprise Cecil was standing there with a smile on his face all the while wearing the standard uniform within the Order. Namely a Jacket, pants and booths with a set of silver armor worn over it.

"Hey Mark want to go hunting?" The youth said cocking the shotgun in their hands.

"Firstly no firearms within the Mansion Grounds." Mark said leaning on the doorway with an amused smile on his face. "Second, fine I'll take you up on that Second Grand Officer Arcs."

Yes due to their role as the bodyguard of Gray, Cecil managed to get the rank of Second Grand Officer so should Gray and Miriam be unavailable then it is Cecil's job to lead. This response caused Cecil to smile widely with a abit of a blush on their ears as Mark went back inside to grab a hunting rifle and decided to head off with Cecil. But as he was doing so he ran into his father who was busy preparing lunch.

"Has Miriam found herself a boyfriend?" Joshua smiled as he paused seeing Mark walking through the kitchen with a Hunting Rifle. From the distance they both can hear Mary lecturing Miriam how her uniform is showing too much of her skin.

"If it were the case Father I'd be grabbing a bigger gun," Mark joked back causing Joshua to chuckle. "I'm going hunting with Cecil, I wanna get to know this Bodyguard of Gray and see if I can trust this peerson."

As soon as he stepped out of the room Joshua can be heard muttering 'here we go again.' But Mark paid him no mind as he didn't know what he was referring to and instead made his way to the entrance were Cecil was busy counting ammunition from the belt around the waist.

"Ready to hunt some Game?" Cecil said once more loading ammunition into the shotgun.

"Is that supposed to be your personal weapon?" Mark said as they walked out of the mansion grounds and into the streets of fenrir were they were greeted with greetings from the townsfolk. In the months that Mark had spent here on Fenrir, he and Miriam had did various odd jobs helping the People earning their trust. The end result is that the People view the two of them at a high regard much to their amusement who knows full well that Mark is a lone wolf. Though for all intents and purposes, he was slowly manipulating the people into getting his side to prevent any form of insurrection should a civil war occur.

"That's right I call it The Silver Wolf it's a Shotgun and a halberd," Cecil grinned widely as the youth pressed a button causing the shotgun to unfold into a halberd with the axe head containing an engraving of a Wolf.

This impressed Mark as he stared at the weapon which caused his competitive side to flare up causing him to pull out Arthur and activated it's Rhongomiant form. And to both of their amusement Rhongomiant is longer than Silver Wolf, while Silver Wolf is wider than Rhongomiant.

"I guess we're both compensating for something." Cecil said with a chuckle as they continued their merry way towards the Woods were to their surprise Gray was waiting for them in a Jeep, also dressed in the Grand Commander uniform of the Order. Unlike Miriam or Cecil, she wore her uniform very differently by wearing a dress with an armor over it to cover her more feminine parts and she matched this with a cape.

A bit too much for a hunting trip.

"Princess, what brings you here?" Mark said slightly knelling before her much to Cecil's surprise.

"I came to see my childhood friend is that not a problem?” She said crossing her arms at him with a teasing look on her face.

“No not at all, I was just curious why are you here.” Mark said crossing his arms at her. “Well then let’s go for a walk.”

“So why didn’t you join the Order?” Gray asked Mark as they were walking through the forests between the settlements of Fenrir and Opportunity, the Settlement where Gaige is currently living. Mark contemplates visiting him if they were able to trek through the other side of the forest. How can I delicately explain to her this, Mark thought to himself as he shouldered the hunting rifle as he walked alongside Gray while Cecil was following behind them looking around with Silver Wolf.

“I just think I won’t fit in with the ideals of the Order,” Mark replied with a shrug as he helped her walk over a log alongside Cecil who had difficulty.

“But she wrote the Manifesto hoping you’ll join..." Cecil muttered in a low voice causing Mark to chuckle a bit as they walked but he tensed up and raised his hand as he sensed something was amiss.

“Hang on,” Mark said as he picked up a stone and threw it blindly to the ground causing the ground to erupt in a small explosion causing dirt and rock to fall unto them like rain. “Mines.” He said turning to the two who had already made their way towards the nearby tree and hid.

“How did you know?” Gray asked him as she started to nervously walk towards him.

“That’s because this is Gaige’s hideout.” Mark said with a shrug as he gestured to them to follow after him, carefully the two of them followed after Mark who eventually made his way towards the campsite where Gaige and Arnold were currently working on what Mark guesses was the Augment Armor.

Or so he assumed.

Instead Mark found Gaige and Arnold preparing what appears to be a Motorcycle.

“Oh hey Mark, your highness.” Gaige said wiping the swear off his forehead as he and Arnold bowed before them with a bow.

“What are you guys doing?” Cecil asked as she looked at the Dual-Purpose Motorcycle, it was pale white and black indicating that it was custom built and not from any of the standard Motorcycles used by the Shock Troopers.

“We’re working on a companion machine for the—” Arnold said trying to explain but he was quickly elbowed by Gaige with a teasing smile on his face.

“Don’t worry about this, this is a surprise.” Gaige said with a teasing grin on his face, Arnold walked out of the area and started handing them drinks.

“Say Gaige why don’t you explain to them the Augment Driver?” Mark said with a grin on his face. “It would go a long way if you got the funding of the Princess of Archiman herself.”

“Oh shut up.” Gray said with a chuckle as she playfully punched Mark on the shoulder. “But I want to see it though.”

Gaige smiled and walked towards a nearby Table where the Proto-Augment Driver was placed and walked towards Mark and placed it on his waist causing the belt to snap onto him with a satisfying Click! Causing both Mark and Gaige to share a smile as he handed him the Direfang Keycard.

“It’s modified to activate on your command, just say ‘Transform’ after placing it inside the belt and it’ll activate.” Gaige said turning to Mark and started explaining everything to the two of them while Mark demonstrated by sliding the Keycard into the Driver once more enveloping Mark in a flash of light as his body was wrapped in a nanomachine under suit while Hard Light armor plates manifested and snapped into his body.

“Whoa.” Gray and Cecil said in unison.

“I’ve also modified the suit to take heavy damage and move really fast, and that’s just he tip of the iceberg.” Gaige said pointing towards the Direfang Keycard. “I’ve designed certain Keycards to have certain specific functions.”

“Sounds promising,” Cecil said looking at Mark, namely at his belt. “Can you make us one?”

“What?” Both Mark and Gaige said in confusion.

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[Rise of the Dark Hound]

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Later that day, the trio were walking their way back to the Territory of the Dirus Family. Mark watched as Cecil and Gray were happily skipping their way back, much to his amusement. Truth be told he found the sight somewhat cute but it also confused him as he has yet to figure out the gender of Cecil, but for Gray well in Mark’s eyes it was somewhat cute.

“Just a heads up but I don’t think you two will get it right away.” Mark said with a smile on his face watching the two skip like a pair of happy children.

“We know but still it’s pretty cool.” Gray said as they walked through the gates of Fenrir but as they were walking through the City they felt a strange tension in the air that was different compared to earlier where it was lively. People started locking up their shops, the Shock Troopers were seen patrolling the streets and waiting by the entrance of the mansion was Owen and Joshua in a tense conversation while talking in hushed whispers.

“Father?” Mark said walked towards them with a confused look on his face. Owen ran his hand through his hair while smiling reassuringly at Mark while looking at Gray and her bodyguard.

“Gray, Cecil, it’s time to head home.” Owen said placing his hand on Cecil and Gray’s shoulder while nodding at Joshua.

“What’s going on?” Cecil said in a low voice looking at Soldiers preparing to set up defenses, the two older men exchanged looks on their faces. But Joshua gave Owen a look as if to say ‘they need to know’ to which Owen swallowed hard and took a deep breath.

“House Festus, Fiero and Stone are on their way to lay siege to this place.” Owen said with a defeated sign.

“What?” Mark asked in disbelief.