Virno: Our mission is to protect our home and the people living in it, and protect them we will.

Jargen lets go of Ballo, caught off-guard by Virno's attitude.

Punjo: I dunno what that old geezer did to ya Virno, but a kid so young as ye shouldn't be taking lives... Let alone so easily.

He says, as he places his only functioning hand in his old friend's shoulder. Jargen nods.

Virno: It wasn't his fault...

Virno looks at the dead bodies once more.

Virno: ... If anything, it was Cabdan's. If it wasn't for him, all of this bloodshed could have been avoided. But I'm not going to sit idly by or run away as they take what's ours.

Ballo smiles, yet Virno did not seem so pleased. He looks him dead in the eye.

Virno: You... What do you want? Why are you here...?

Ballo: I am here to help you. That sword you wielded is quite powerful, but if protecting those dear to you is what you truly desire, then it will end up letting you down... Cutting up ruffians is one thing, but there are far more fearsome enemies out there.

Ballo extends his right hand, with the palm facing up. A glowing glyph causes a mask to emerge from it: the mask of the Leopard.

Virno: That mask...

Rel: It looks exactly like the doctor's...!

Ballo sighs.

Ballo: It is. Or rather, it was...

He channels energy into it, causing the eyes of the mask to glow.

Ballo: ... It's best if you see it for yourselves.

From its glowing eyes, a projection is cast into the air. The images it displayed revealed the last moments of the Leopard's life: the battle against Lunalus. In these moments, Cabdan could sometimes be glimpsed cowering in fear.

Rel: Cabdan was there...

Ballo: This man, Cabdan... He has struck a deal with a faction whose main goal is to bring about the destruction of our world. This faction calls themselves "Nox"... And that man with glowing dark eyes...

He points at Lunalus.

Ballo: ... Is Nox's spymaster, and one of their most dangerous members: Lunalus. He's the one responsible for slaying the Leopard. A man with the power to see through the eyes of those that serve him, and to take hold of their bodies, making them his own.

Rel bit down on his teeth.

Rel: That bastard...! If the doctor is dead, how can we save her...?

Jargen and Punjo seemed to share his concern, as they all had an equally disillusioned look in their face. Ballo did not seem to understand them.

Ballo: Save who, exactly...? Young man, you fail to realize the gravity of the situation. With Nox's rise, entire cities will perish. Your friend should be the least of your concerns...!

Rel looks into his eyes with a burning gaze.

Rel: Does it look like we can do anything to stop that?! We can barely keep those dear to us alive...! If only we could accomplish that much, it'd be more than enough for me...

Virno didn't seem shaken by this turn of events, he still had a glimmer of hope in his eyes.

Virno: She's not gone yet, guys... The doctor may be dead, but at least we have confirmation that Cabdan is involved. If he poisoned her, or knows anything about it... Chances are he'll also know how to get an antidote.

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He turns to Ballo.

Virno: Where did this happen? Is it far from here?

Ballo shakes his head.

Ballo: Look, you are missing the point! If Nox is left uncontested, they will-

Virno materializes the silver sword at will, holding it so close to Ballo's neck that breathing in too deep could cause the tip to pierce the skin.

Virno: Spare us that crap! We couldn't care less about the damn world... Just answer the question!

Ballo was getting angry.

Ballo: You truly are stubborn...! Your friend will surely perish if you refuse your role in stopping them!

Virno: Will she? That's funny. If any of those "Nox" guys step foot inside these slums, they're as good as dead.

Ballo looks at the critical state they were in.

Ballo: About as good as dead as you are now...?

Virno didn't find it amusing. He quickly shifts his stance, holding the blade sideways against Ballo's neck and stepping close to him.

Virno: We'll be ready. Don't worry about us.

Ballo squints. From the palm of his hand he quickly casts a glyph that produces a force which pushes Virno backward with such strength that he almost loses his balance.

Ballo: Your words are not devoid of meaning, Virno... I see your intentions are true. But you currently lack the strength to see them through!

Virno: I'll show you strength, old man...!

Jargen coughs violently, dropping to his knees.

Rel: Enough... We need to get to the orphanage, we're in no state to battle anybody else, Virno...!

Virno: You guys can go, I'll deal with this!

Punjo stands in front of Virno.

Punjo: Look young'un, I get it. Ya did great back there, ya took down all thos' guys by yerself... But take a good look at ye.

Virno's blood was pumping. He hadn't realized how badly his ribs had been damaged by moving around so much... Dark purple splotches covered the entirety of his sides.

Ballo: This wouldn't be a fair fight, there is hardly any point to it. Rest and recuperate... I'll come find you once you're ready to see me again... Here, catch.

He throws something toward him. It flies above Punjo's head, landing right on the palm of Virno's hand. It was a silver coin.

Ballo: That coin always lands tails. If you can make it land heads... I know you'll be prepared.

Virno looks at the coin, as he holds it up toward the full moon.

Virno: What a pointless gimmick...

Ballo smiles.

Ballo: "In the pointless, uninteresting things there is always some meaningful, engrossing experience"...

Virno's eyes shine as he looks at Ballo.

Virno: That sentence...!

Ballo: You still have much to learn, young man... Until we meet again!

Just as Ballo prepares to leave, Rel stops him.

Rel: Wait...! Can you please help us save that girl we spoke of...?

Ballo's back was still turned, but he was listening.

Rel: There must be something you can do...

Ballo: ... There is much I can do, but just as you care little about the world outside this little bubble you call home... I care little about some girl I know nothing about. What can you offer in return...?

Rel looks at Virno...

Rel: Please, Virno... Help him out. For her sake.

Virno looks at Rel's desperate, saddened eyes. He sighs.

Virno: Help us find Cabdan, and I'll help you take down that Lunalus guy. Does that sound like a fair deal...?

Ballo laughs.

Ballo: It seems you're expecting miracles out of both of us...! Yet I am not omniscient, and you are not certainly not omnipotent, Virno... I'm afraid both of those tasks are outside our reach. But...

Virno squints.

Ballo: ... I suppose we can strike a more realistic deal. I may not be able to find Cabdan, but I can help you bring to fruition any ideas you may have to seek him out . Do you have any such plans...?

Rel's eyes shine.

Rel: His prostitution ring...! Help us take it down, please!

Virno nods.

Virno: Yeah.

Ballo smiles.

Ballo: Now, that does seem like a more reasonable request. Very well... I'll see what I can do. And in return... I do not expect you to single-handedly take down Lunalus, Virno. Only that you let me train you, so that when his forces eventually try to grab hold of your slums, you can be fully ready to take them on. Does this sound like a good deal to you?

Virno: Fair enough. But there's just one caveat... You need to help us soon.

Ballo: Soon, as in...?

Virno: ... As in two days' time.

Ballo laughs.

Ballo: My, you're in a rush...! But very well, it is settled. Expect to see me again in no more than two days...

He prepares to jump.

Ballo: ... And be ready for anything!

He extends his legs, soaring upwards as if gravity did not affect him. A gray trail of energy followed behind, casting a winged shadow like the one they had seen before.

Punjo: 'ight... Help us out of here, laddies...

They step outside the alleyway, struggling to help Punjo and Jargen move. Once past the entrance, they see various homes with their lights on. People were watching them, and had probably seen at least part of the battle that had just unfolded.

Punjo: Don'tcha stand there gawkin'! We risked life an' limb to protect the very homes you stand in, the least ya could do is get us outta here and back to the orphanage...!

His words make some of the bystanders feel guilty for their inaction, and they rush out the door of their homes, to help carry the injured four men back to the orphanage... Once there, they are treated to the best of the abilities of the nurses. Anya seemed especially concerned with Virno, yet for her sake, they had decided not to tell her that Virno had killed those men...