riday, Sept 16, 11:45 am, Ishida House, Jake's bedroom-

The Radiant of Fire sat down in front of his laptop and opened a program for the video call. After entering the name of the person, he pressed the call button. He tapped his foot a few times, waiting for the person on the other end to pick up. Finally, the person on the other end answered. The screen lit up with Blair's image with half her face covered by her hair. The spiky raven smiled.

"Hi, Blair."

"Hello." The fifteen-year-old greeted bashfully, her cockney accent apparent.

Earlier today, the Flora Radiant had sent a message about Blair wanting to talk to him, along with her video ID. He wasn't sure what this was about, but figured it was the right time to be introduced to the Radiant of Shadow. From the crimson-haired girl's message, it was a significant step for Blair to reach out without feeling uncomfortable. He would try not to make her feel uncomfortable. However, the problem was that he was still in school and the message sounded seemed urgent. He sent a message to Lina, informng her he would leave school around 11:30 to head home and chat with the shadow warrior. Replacing himself with the Dummy Doll, he hurried home through the teleporter in the bathroom.

"So, Blair. How are you? How is the weather?" He smiled.

"Fine, sunny."

"Sorry, talking about the weather is a stupid way to connect with someone."

"I-it's fine." She looked down slightly while nervously scratching her cheek. "Sorry if you are busy with something else."

"Not really busy. I'm glad you decided to contact me. Lina made it sound like it's urgent."

"Not urgent. Ishida, normally I would not contact you...but..."

"I know we are not close, but you can call me Jake unless you feel it is inappropriate." He perked up. "If you don't know, my code name is Blaze."

Blair shyly smiled. "Kali. It means black."

"I like it, pretty cool."

"Thanks... Jake, I... want to establish a connection. We are Radiant; I should have contacted you earlier, but... I am not good at meeting new people." She said nervously. "Sorry, it's nothing against you. It's just." She took a deep breath. "Unlike Jack and Lina, I don't have a good excuse not to contact. My message sounded harsh when I... said I wanted to solve this case on my own. It's my fault Selen-ja and I are trapped in England."

"Why do you think it's your fault?"

She closed her eyes. "The Count tried to use the artifact on a crowd. Despite Selen-ja's order, I rushed to try and stop him. My adroit struck the artifact, making it malfunction. It released a mysterious light that coated us and must have trapped us in an invisible barrier around England. It's strange." She closed her eyes. "Trying to leave feels like running into a wall."

"That sounds bad."

"I... blame myself for the incident. We found the artifact since then, but the Count is eluding throughout England. We don't know where he is... I need to find him to help Selen-ja."

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The spiky raven nodded. "Then let me know when you are ready."

"Thank you. When we meet, I will have your back. That's what being a t-team is."

"Great, I don't want to just be a team, Blair. That is not what I want."

The girl appeared dejected. She looked away. "Oh, I..."

Noticing her demeanor and realizing what he said, he panicked. "I-I did not mean like that. We should try to be friends instead of a group of strangers."

The Shadow Radiant exhaled slowly before a small smile developed on her face. She moved her piece of hair from her eye, revealing her different colored eye. "Please, carefully phrase what you mean."

Jake chuckled. "No problem, I like your eyes. They are pretty cool."

She beamed. "You don't think it's weird?"

"Weird can be a good thing. We all have things people would see as odd."

She nodded. "I understand. Weird can be good."

"Besides, our lives are weird compared to others. Who knows what we will see in Galvania."

"I am a-anticipating crossing into a different world; it's exciting, yet worrisome."

"Because of the dangers?"

"From what I am told, we will be heroes to some and enemies to others. As humans, we might be treated differently. All of the attention feels not warranted, good or bad."

"I did not think of that. I guess that will be a new experience for us. However, we will all be there. Jack, Lina, the others, me. This is a storm we will ride together."

Her eyes reflected the gratitude. "True. It still has me anxious, but thank you."

He nodded. "I heard you like to draw. Do you mind showing me?"

"Um... no. It's not something I show anybody."

"Oh, that's fine."

"Sorry, it was nice talking to you, Jake. H-hopefully, I can see you all soon."

Jake nodded. "Later."

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-London, 5:55pm Agnes Reisdence-

She leaned back in her chair and exhaled softly after the call ended. Meeting a new person never gets easy. She wondered why she had hidden her eye despite them knowing about her heterochromia. They had seen each other's profiles; nothing was hidden. She had no reason to be wary.

"As Jack said, they aren't idiots."

The doorbell rang, prompting the petite girl to head downstairs to answer. With her grandmother out on errands, she was alone in the house. Curious about who was at the door, she descended the stairs and moved to open the door. A man appeared after opening the door.

"Hi." she spoke softly.

"..."

The girl felt unease, especially from his eyes. He appeared to have a vacant look, eyes glassed over.

"Can I help you?" She spoke a little louder.

"The Count expects both the wielder of darkness and the woman."

Widening her eyes, the girl backed away while coating her hand with black mana.

"Courtyard, Ypres Tower, Rye, England. 10 pm. A truce to be set free." The man turned around and left the premises.

The dark warrior walked out of the door, watching the man leave while sensing for the Count's mana. After a few minutes of searching, she did not see or sense the fiend. Dread filled about the Count knowing her residence, prompting her to call the elderly woman. After verifying her relative's safety, she immediately called Selen-ja and relayed the information to the Guardian member.

"Knowing where you live is disturbing." sighed the Canokian. "Should have known he would control a person; he might've followed you. If that is the case, I need to move the Porta Hub from the forest."

"What do you think?" asked the girl. "This is our chance. We take the artifact to him, and you will be free."

"WE will be free." Selen-ja reminded, like a soft-spoken teacher. Her voice had a soothing and refined tone. "I have a bad feeling. He has not sent any creatures recently. This might be a trap. He probably found another artifact."

"Maybe." The girl frowned deeply. Contemplating their next step. "Maybe... no... actually... would it be a good idea to alert the others if it is a trap?"

"If it is a trap, then their assistance is necessary. Perhaps we can have two of the Radiant while the rest are on standby."

"... Yes, please... can you ask Jake to come... if he wants?"

"Acknowledge. The Fire Radiant has left a good impression, correct?"

"Yes, it was needed for me to reach out."

"Bravo, dear. I'm proud of you."

The girl blushed. "I... don't feel I accomplished something."

"You took the effort to ask for help prior to my timetable. I will contact the Hub. Next, I will try to see if I can scout the city of Rye from a distance. Once that is done, I will pick you up in the Porta Hub. Please be ready."

"Yes, ma'am."