Both the heroic heads of Thomas Titanius Junior and Isaac Rose had risen up the stairs of the Greenhouse with their new prized prisoner, to the supposed happiness of the others awaiting them as they expected the downfall of Envy. But no. Something bigger had gained their attention. The two heroes had walked back into the room, both holding an arm of their prey, but to their avail, a row of backs faced them. Glued to the glass of the room, Axel, Lux and Victoria had stared off into the distance.

"What seems to be the matter here?" Isaac asked, somewhat dissatisfied at the welcome back they had received.

"An army. Moving at a speed that doesn't worry me, but a strength that does." Axel thoughtfully said after a pause of silence.

"Perhaps they are Envy's?" Victoria suggested.

"No. We know whose they are. They are the sin cultists of Sloth." Said Thomas.

"Then you will know why they are here?" Asked Lux.

"They - they are here for me!" Thomas boldly proclaimed as he jolted from his stance, only to miserably falter to the ground.

"No...no...no! For you, you will rest up!" Victoria pulled him by the ears.

"What!? I brought them all here!" Exclaimed Thomas.

"He has to fight! He is the best we have to offer!" Carefully regarding Thomas, Isaac exclaimed.

"He will not fight this battle. I will not allow it. Isaac, you and Axel must make do." Victoria coldly replied in rebuttal.

"Ah fine, fine..." Thomas slurred in reply, exhaustion proving the better of him.

"Perhaps there is another way to fend off this army. It is Sloth after all." Lux reassuringly hinted.

"What do you suggest?" Axel asked, his eyes fixated on the moving mob.

"He is suggesting we talk with them." Said Isaac, refusing a laugh within him.

"Yes. They are too slow to give you a hard time out there, so why not broach the offer of peace?" Suggested Lux.

"The merciless knight of Bournington that my father so fondly mentioned, seems to have softened." Isaac chuckled. "And while I do value your wisdom highly, the sheer magnitude of the army that comes this way is far too many to reason with." He said.

"Your morals are kind, Mr Buchanan. But morals do not win battles." Victoria said, biting her lip.

"Very well. The two of you must do your duty. Victoria shall stay, to tend to our fallen." Lux said, his eyes burning with resentment.

With courageous haste, Isaac and Axel set foot on the elongated front lawn of the blessed Greenhouse. Menacingly rising up the flower-filled field, a cloud of black smoke had trailed scarily behind the mob of ghostly black figures - all of whom, had been carrying a rough carved wooden staff which carried an undying black flame. The beings had been moving sluggishly and strangely, having near to no resemblance to a human - their key attributes being an unnecessary need to breathe, and a completely clear visage of whiteness that looked like a murky depth of fog. Just ahead of this foggy façade, a hunting, red set of eyes pulsed across their faces - only being slightly visible through the dark bearing hoods they shunned over themselves. Lingering on them like profane fairies, a pungent, prolific perfume had seemed to resonate off the things with an unearthly excess of power.

Isaac and Axel had crept their way safely towards the foot of the cultists' tremendous effort to plough into the Greenhouse in hunt of their prey, their hunt, their relation to another Marielle. In particular, they had brought along the sweet Marielle, little Elsa Marielle, with them in their travels. With a deep sigh, this had only made the matter ever so more a struggle for the general to work around. His eyes sheepishly stared up for Lux, who could only gather a nod to initiate a sense of madness. Thus, Isaac and Axel descended into their fight.

Stolen story; please report.

The eyes above them had only spared a moment's glance at the proposed onslaught, as Lux had other worries panging within his chest. He turned to view the fair lady that had now been well-tuned to his son in tending to his pains. She had been bent over Alsop, carefully staring at him with deep thought whilst rustling his thick slopes of chestnut hair. Her elegant touch caressed the cold cheeks of his, and they slowly warmed as a slurred smile shined on his face.

"The poor, poor boy. I could help him, wake him right this second, perhaps. But is it fair to help him and not the others?" Gently muttered Victoria.

"Ms Victoria Magika of Astrea. How did you come to meet my dear son?" Lux asked.

"Hmm? He and I met at a recent gathering. We became friends at first sight. Though, I see more in him than a friend." Victoria smiled fondly.

"What is this? You don't have interest in him, in that manner, surely?" Lux asked with a pale countenance.

"Ah. I see my mistake here..." Victoria blushed softly. "My eyes are certainly for somebody else, Mr Buchanan. I assure you that." She chuckled.

"My apologies. I take it you care for Alsop deeply though?" Faintly, Lux blushed.

"Yes. I suppose it is deep affection I have for him, almost motherly, I daresay." Victoria uttered, her cheeks swelling sweetly.

"Then..." Lux said, after a brief pace about the room with thought. "May I ask of you to do me a favour?" He asked.

"Hmm. I suppose this favour is important. Your very lips shiver in fear. Fear not, I will commit to doing this favour." Victoria said with a warm smile.

"But is it right, to ask you of this? You do understand my ask, yes?" Lux guiltily blundered out.

"You wish for me to watch over him? I can - no - I shall do so." Said Victoria. "Though I cannot promise it for eternity." She added with a downcast frown.

"Of course! But thank you. Now, I can rest well at heart a little more." Lux said with his hand padding his chest.

"You are lucky I have such a soft spot for the young." Victoria laughed cheerfully.

"Very good. He's a young man that will never seek to forgive me in my lifetime. That is the hard truth I must live with. So please, do watch him well." Lux implored her by grabbing her softer palm.

"I assure you, I will observe him. But I cannot promise it will be for a vast amount of time." Victoria quickly wished she had not worded her language like this, as it had raised a slight eyebrow from the lone man, and thus she quickly alleviated her words. "But why seek a guardian for him, instead of trying to reconnect with him? Why is his love for you so unforgivingly cold, but forever burning dimly?" She asked.

The old gentleman had taken a pause for a brief minute to look out the window, where he hesitantly thought for a well-constructed answer.

"I cannot connect with him anymore, not without his mother around." He finally replied, turning to his son's carer. "I was never there for him or her and when I was, it was too late." He confessed.

"Too late?" Pondered Victoria.

"I told him, my very words, 'She could not be saved.' Oh! How my heart sickens at the deception! I could have saved her. I failed." Solemnly said Lux.

"You could have saved your wife?" Inquired Victoria.

"I was forced into a game with a sin." Lux said with a glimpse at the window, his eyes looking into himself. "A confrontation with the Sin of Lust. Her spiteful little game! She had confounded me into choosing between the very two things I loved the most! How do you choose between your wife and your son!?" Lux desperately cried out.

"You obliged with this game?" Victoria had been shocked at his passion, but she remained composed.

"No! Absolutely not! Lust. She smelled my love! Every last bit of it. I betrayed myself like an idiot. She figured out who I loved more - if that is even possible!" Lux propelled outwards in anguish at the thought. "Tell me, Victoria. Would you give up a cherished child or your darling lover?" He asked, turning to her bluntly.

"Oh, Mr Buchanan..." Victoria carefully played with Alsop's hair. "I am so very sorry. Sorry to hear such a tragic tale of events, and sorry to strike you with so punishing a reminder." She said.

"No, it is fine. I am sorry to incite such a fire to this room. I merely wish to let you understand why Alsop hates me so much." Reassured Lux.

"I promise. I will watch over your Alsop." Victoria said as she burrowed the sleeping son into her lap with fine care.

"I wish he could understand one day but he is too young. The only thing he will want right now is vengeance and that will lead to a fate similar to his mother's." Lux said, his eyes burning into his son.

Their conversation had soon faded like a candle losing its flame abruptly, as an answer for the ongoing onslaught outside had gathered their attention. Rising from the ashes of battle, a saviour shined with angelic light as they darted off outside.