Genesis Locorum

The ninjas return to their hotel room. With their items from the Black Box in tow. Saizo knocks on the door.

“Coming!” a chipper voice responds. Hoshikage opens the door. “Is is room— oh.”

“Greetings, Master Hoshikage,” Saizo says.

“Hoshikage-sensei!” Kasumi greets her mentor with a cling, which Hoshikage turns into a hug and a running of her student’s hair.

The master kunoichi turns to her peer. “What’s the verdict?”

Saizo turns his head towards the rest of his party. Kei and Suzume place the various items from their trip on a table inside. The robs, the cubes, and the rabbit statuettes. Saizo also removes his newfound armor and places it on the table.

Atsuko arrives, and her two teal tails swish in the air. She looks at the assortment of items, especially the rabbit statues. “How adorable!” the cat-eared girl says.

Saizo and the others kneel in front of Atsuko. “Our mission was a success, we’ve managed to gather items from the dungeon in New Virginia.”

“These came from that dungeon you mentioned Saizo?” Atsuko’s interest is piqued.

“Yes,” the ninja says.

Atsuko grins as she leaves the room in an excitable mood, taking one of the statuettes with her. She soon dona a labcoat with “A-25” emblazoned on the back.

“How were the Karakuri arms?” Atsuko says to Saizo and Suzume while examining the statuettes. Her two ringlets swoosh as she rapidly moves around several tables and screens.

“They proved…adequate,” Suzume says.

“You didn’t get into trouble while you were there did you?” Atsuko says.

“Nope,” Kasumi lied. “No trouble at all!”

“I’d hope not,” Hoshikage says. The expression on her tanned face has a hint of sternness. “Can’t have one of my best students causing a ruckus, can we.”

“Ehe,” Kasumi grins as she appraises a cabinet next to her closest. The cabinet holds several kinds of bobbles some are spheres, others are shaped like the heads of cats, all filled with a liquid each. She takes the baubles and attaches them to her dress.

Noboru looks at one of the screens. Intrigued by Atsuko’s research.

Kei meanwhile takes to his writing desk and immediately jots down the scenery of the black box. “What would suit such an interesting setting?” he asks himself. “A nice picnic perhaps?”

“I got the food!” a cheery voice calls from the door. Hoshikage answers it again. Seeing a teenage woman clad in a dress adorned with lace and bows on the skirt, and bodice. Looking more like a signer than a shinobi. Her black hair is cut in a bob style.

“Aika!” Hoshikage says. “Where have you been?”

“I’ve been scoping out the city!” the raven-haired girl says. “Looking for places to perform, it turns out most of them are underground.”

Kei hears Aiko’s voice and approaches the young singer. “Hello, Miss Aika.”

Aika looks at the author and greets him with a smile. “You’re back, Kei,” she says. “Maybe you can help me with my lyrics?”

Atsuko looks at the screens, each one having readings of unprecedented mana density. Her smile widens as she sees these readings. She turns to Saizo with a wide-eye smile. “Saizo you genius, how did you find out about this dungeon?”

“I simply followed the rumors is all, Lady Atsuko,” Saizo says.

“What rumors?” Aika says.

“Some talk about a dungeon suddenly pulling itself back from the brink and repelling most of their visitors,” Kasumi says.

“There is more to it than that,” Saizo says. “There were reports of a dungeon near Websdale vanishing shortly after that.”

Atsuko looks though a microscope and looks deep into the lagomorphic statue though an nearby microscope. She sees something there that piques her interest. Giddy with excitement she turns to her shinobi, “Everyone, we might have found a suitable dungeon!”

✦✦✦

Meanwhile, in the same building, Emily wakes up in her hotel room. She sees Emily sitting in another bed nearby and opens the blinds. The sunrise illuminates the streets of Noir seen from their room on the twenty-seventh floor.

Stella’s light rouses Elizabeth from her slumber. The fairy rubs her eyes and looks at Emily’s avatara awake. “Good morning, Emmy,”

“Morning Lizzie,” Emily says with an energetic tone.

The fairy yawns and exits her bed. The pair leave their room to meet up with the others.

In the lobby, Emily finds Heathcliff and Tim are already there.

“Where are the others?” Emily says.

“Minerva, Richard, and Sarah had got the room next to the kids,” Tim says. “They were tasked with waking them up.”

Esteban enters the hotel lobby and meets up with the quartet. The five meet at a table and talk about their plans.

“Esteban’s gonna take me to the Ebony Guard’s guildhalls,” Heathcliff says. “Still gotta to get us registered there, cher.”

“But why?”

“The Rouges Guild,” Esteban says “is still considered unofficial as far as Noir’s government goes. You will need to get involved with the Ebony Guards to officially operate on the surface as adventurers, and for people of that guild to visit you on more, shall we say, friendly terms.”

“How about you, cher,” Heathcliff says. “Any plans?”

“I was hoping we could tour the city,” Emily says. “Maybe meet some people interested in taking care of some children?” her nervous expression is visible to all.

“I understand,” Esteban says. “I wish you the best of luck, but I must also tell you not to hold your breath.”

“We’ll certainly need it,” Heathcliff says. “I doubt we can handle eight witches even if we got a Cryosphere to help.”

“Regardless of where the Coloraturas end up,” Elizabeth says. “Our dungeon still needs to gather mana quickly for other reasons.”

“That’s another reason why you need to get registered with the Guards,” Esteban says. “Combined with our network, they should allow you to find Rouge Dungeons in the city.”

“Rouge…dungeons?” Emily says.

“[Rouge Dungeons] are Dungeons that are both unaffiliated with a given community and whose actions are considered detrimental to nearby ones,” Elizabeth says. “They are considered too dangerous to keep around for various reasons and so the guilds send available adventurers to try and steal their [Cores] if able.”

“In cases where the guilds aren’t up to it, they get involved,” Heathcliff says.

“And by ‘they’ you mean?” Emily says.

“National security forces,” Tim says.

“While [Guilds] are used by the government to outsource smaller scale problems to adventurers, militaries like Liberté [Armed Liberators] forces handle what they consider to be existential threats to the nation. In many ways, they are considered the second failsafe for if a dungeon grows too powerful. If even they fail, then— that’s a topic for another time.”

“I can guarantee you don’t want to be around when the Liberators make their moves, cher,” Heathcliff says. “Only the top brass of the largest guilds can handle one of them guys and they have access to resources and mana to ensure they get a leg up on any adversaries they encounter. If they set their sights on you, then you’re out of luck. This is another reason why I have to get us registered with the Guards. Noir seeing you as a Rouge Dungeon would lead to several issues down the road.”

“Issues that are unhelped by you also being registered with the Rosenkreuz guild,” Esteban says. “Conflict with the Guards would risk a legal brouhaha between Noir and Nova Virginia.”

Emily is stunned by the potential risks to herself she would incur just by being here.

“Sorry to spring that on you, cher,” Heathcliff says.

“It’s okay,” Emily says.

“Don’t worry,” Elizabeth says. “As long as we don’t lose control, we’ll be fine!” she assures Emily with a confident smile.

“Lose…control,” Emily says. She becomes lost in her thoughts as she recalls recent events for several moments. “R-right! Of course!” she says to assure herself.

An elevator descends and on it are Richard, Sarah, Minerva, Nina, Charlotte, and the Coloraturas.

“We’re here!” Rose says as she slithers along. “Are we ready yet?” the lamia impatiently says.

Emily looks at Minerva and the dwarves, who all have tired looks on their faces.

“Have I mentioned I’m unsuited to be a broodmother?” Minerva says.

“Even if you were,” Elizabeth says. “You’d still need a lot more help.”

The other Coloraturas, save Raine, follow Rose to Emily and her table. Nina also follows the magical girls to the table.

Emily turns to Heathcliff. “Guess it’s time to set off then?”

“Good luck, cher,” Heathcliff says. Esteban tips his blue hat before the two men leave for the guildhall.

Emily turns to the others. “Are there any specific places you have in mind?”

Richard places out a map for the local district, with some places of interest already marked down by him and Sarah.

“I’ve also marked some dungeons in blue, for when we are registered,” the blond dwarf says.

Minerva also places a map down. “This one is for the underground,” she whispers. Like the surface maps, this one also has some places marked.

One particular location on the corner of Richard’s map, marked in gold, catches Emily’s interest. “What’s that?”

“Gatsby Tower,” Richard says.

As Emily’s group talks among themselves, Kasumi and Hoshikage arrive in the lobby, listening to a local restaurant. As they walk by the orange-haired kunoichi sights the group and Tim among them. Her gaze lingers on the familiar man. “What the—“ she says to herself. “Is that— How did he get here so fast?”

“Kasumi?” Hoshikage is already several steps ahead of her. “Something wrong?”

“N-nothing!” Kasumi turns to her mentor and runs ahead, hoping that she isn’t noticed. She used her ninja training the sneak around the lobby, to Hoshikage’s confusion.

Tim looks towards the elevator, sending someone there, but as he terns he finds no one he can recognize and shrugs.

Emily’s group sets up their agenda for the day and begins to leave the lobby. Whisper perches himself on Azalea’s shoulder. The purple-haired avatara looks at the phantom rodent and hopes that she can resolve the Coloraturas’ imminent plight.

✦✦✦

Emily and her group arrive at a subway station to wait for a train en route to their first destination, Anesidora Park. The station is filled with many passengers as they prepare for this day. One man in particular waits next to Emily and Tim as they wait for the train.

The man has black hair with brown roots, and a large lyre sits at his back alongside a quiver of arrows. He looks curiously at the group and notices the Alraune child with them. He holds a parcel in his hand. Charlotte gets a glimpse of the return address and her heart skips several beats as she realizes that it is from Hamlin.

The train arrives and everyone boards it. Charlotte avoids looking at the older man’s eyes.

As soon as everyone boards the chrome and white vehicle, the doors close and it speeds on the rails.

“Anesidora?” Emily asks Elizabeth. “She’s the Giver right?”

“Correct, Emily,” Elizabeth says. “I’m glad you remembered!”

“Who’s that?” Rose says as she slithers next to them.

Elizabeth is shocked to see Rose seemingly ignorant of the Administrators. “[Anesidora, the Giver], is the land that this city and all of [Titania], rests on. Sister to The Flood and the Forgemaster. Rose, How do you not know that?”

“Know what?” the lamia asks.

“The [Admisntrators]!” the fairy says.

“You’ll have to forgive Rose there,” Hydrangea says while reading a mystery novel. “She’s not exactly well-read on—“

“Excuse me?” Rose says. “I am very well-read on this topic!” she turns to the fairy. “The Ad-meen-e-stra-tors are…” she tries to find the end of her sentence. “The guys who ad-meen-e-strate stuff, right?”

Elizabeth places her head on her face. “By [Astra], how did you…” she sighs.

The black-haired man turns to the group. “The Administrators are the deities we worship. Anesidora in particular is one of three that are Titania themselves, alongside Halcyon and Obsidian.”

“To be more specific,” Elizabeth says “[Anesidora, the Giver], as I already mentioned, is the land. [Halcyon, the Flood] are the waters, and [Obsidian, the Forgemaster] is the core of the planet. All life on this star owes their existence to these three.”

“These siblings aren’t the only Administrators to be clear, “Hydrangea says. “They have a mother, Astra.”

Elizabeth wonders just how neglected these children were to not know about the Administrator.

“Okay, smarty-pants,” Rose says. “Please explain who this Astra is.”

“Astra is the Cosmos,” Hydrangea says.

“…you lost me,” Rose says.

“[Astra, the Cosmos],” Elizabeth says. “Is the creator and spirit of the universe, and mother to everyone, including her fellow Administrators and all life found on Titania. She is the sky that the stars dwell in.”

The pink-haired lamia struggles to wrap her head around this. “So she’s like a big deal then?”

“Very,” Elizabeth says.

Emily chimes in. “What about Stella?”

“[The Sunlight]?” Elizabeth says. “She is the sun that illuminates Titania…”

While Elizabeth answers Emily and Rose’s questions about the Administrators, Azalea practices her jokes with Clover, Strelitzia, Nina, and Charlotte while hanging onto one of the vertical metal rails in the train.

“You know how I wanted a knife right?” the mermaid says. “I’d think I can be a cut above the rest if I had one of those.”

“You’re still on about that knife from a while back?” Strelitzia says.

“What knife?” Nina asks.

“We found a Bismuth knife that someone dropped in the Path of Ruin,” Clover says. “It was so colorful. Hey did you know that a rainbow is made from the refraction of light…”

Charlotte ignored the conversation as she looked at the bard talking with Emily and Rose. She approaches the man. “Excuse me?” she says. “You’re not from Hamlin by any chance?”

“Indeed I am,” the man says as he tips his hat. “Orpheus Arion is my name, little miss. Why do you ask.”

“O-oh,” Charlotte says. “No reason.” She realizes that he is related to Euryale and Stheno. A sense of panic overwhelms her.

Emily turns to the man. “Hamlin?” she says, feigning ignorance. “What’s it like?”

Orpheus sighs. “Something tragic had happened,” he says. “All the children had vanished.”

Meanwhile, Tim talks with the dwarves.

“What are you doing?” Tim says.

“Writing a ‘shopping’ list,” Richard says. “I’m planning to get some materials for special armor that not even that oaf of a knight wouldn’t resist.”

“Special armor?” Tim says.

“Brother here thinks that there should be a dress code for you and the other sentinels,” Sarah says as the subway train leaves the tunnel and surfaces. Stella’s illumination shines past the windows as the majestic skyline is visible, alongside a glimpse of Anesidora Park.

Tim cocks his eyes.

“Look at yourself, lad,” Richard says. “You’re a mess! I get that we spend half of our time fighting and adventuring, but I think she should at least try to do it in style.”

“And do it in a way that ensures repairs and replacement gear aren’t needed as much,” Sarah says.

Tim examines himself, his leather armor looks out of place compared to the well-suited individuals in the subway. A nearby peryton holds his hose as Tim looks around. “Point taken.”

“Besides,” the blond dwarf says, “We can then use these as a basis for gear that can be obtained from the dungeon,” he says. Being careful not to out Emily in public. “Now where can we find some Floenesium?”

Raine looks at the three, and turns to Tim specifically. “Excuse me,” the phoenixian girl says. “Appreciate the sightseeing, but …why?”

“Rather to the point,” Richard says.

“That is something you’ll have to ask Emily,” Tim says.

Nearby Raine are Lily and Anemone who look at the view from outside. A view of the sunlight and of the surface that they rarely get to see until now. The gleaming buildings leave the young werewolf and centaur in awe.

As the train approaches the station, Minerva takes a look at her daughter laughing at Azalea’s jokes. She then turns to Emily talking with Orpheus.

“So tell me,” Orpheus says. “What would you do if you saw the harlot?”

“I’d…” Emily tries to think of an answer. She and Charlotte know they can’t tell him the truth about Pruflas or of Carla’s feigned suicide. The train soon stops and the bell rings.

Orpheus looks out. “We’ll have to talk next time if we get the chance.” He then leaves first. Emily sighs with relief. Charlotte makes a mental note of his appearance, out of a desire to not encounter the man again for now.

As Orpheus exits, he takes out the letter. It came from his parents, Douglas and Medusa, and tells them that they had found his sisters but had elected to let them stay with someone outside the village, and assures him that despite all that had happened they are safe. He walks up the stairs wondering what had happened, and why they aren’t in Hamlin despite being supposedly safe.

✦✦✦

Emily’s group exits the station and heads to the park. They find a lush verdant expanse dotted with trees and tables, with brick roads leading to various amenities. They take one to the nearest landmark, a statue of a young girl, sleeping swaddled in a blanket with presentations of the sun’s rays surrounding her. A plaque reads. “May she one day wake up from her slumber.”

“Ah,” Elizabeth studies the statues. “That must be dedicated to [Stella].”

Rose looks at the stature and finds the depicted girl to resemble a child near her age. “Why is one of these Admini-whatis a kid?”

Elizabeth turns to the child. “[Stella, the Sunlight] is said to be the closest [Astra] has to a true daughter, as she considers the others more her peers. Legends tell of how she was cursed into a torpor forbidding her body from awakening.”

“Okay, and?” Rose says.

“The implication is that she was unable to grow until she wakes up,” Hydrangea says. “Some tales claim she was born right after Astra herself while others say she was born around the same time as Anesidora and her siblings.”

“Didn’t the tales claim that she also assumes a mortal form? “Emily says quizzically.

“Correct,” Elizabeth says. “It is not a mutually exclusive as you’d think, as these tales also say that these forms are her dreaming mind manifesting in the world. And the tales surrounding [Tranqulitas, the Moonshadow] collaborate this.”

“Tranqulitas?” Anemone pipes up. “As in the Moonshadow?”

“The very same.” Elizabeth.

“You knew about these guys too Anemone?” Rose says. She then indignantly asks “Why didn’t you tell me about them?”

“We tried,” Azalea says. “But you snoozed though the guild’s classes.”

“Come on!” Rose says. “I needed my rest.”

Elizabeth is somewhat assured that at least it was seemingly only Rose that was ignorant of the Administrator’s existence.

Tim approaches the group. “So what’s the plan?”

“I want us to split up. take in the sights, explore the city for a bit until Heathcliff returns,” Emily says. “I want to ask some people here about something.”

“Can I come with?” Rose says.

“Um,” Emily’s signs of hesitancy is not lost on Azalea or on the familiar perches on her shoulder. “I’ll go too, you’ll need someone like me to lighten the mood and break the ice. Especially since Hydrangea is pretty good at making the ice to begin with.”

“I’m gonna scope out some places for later on,” Richard says. “As well as use the city’s aesthetic as inspiration.”

“Maybe I can accompany you then?” Raine says. “N-not that I’m interested in your work or anything.”

“Sure,” Sarah says. “The more the merrier.”

“I’ll go too!” Lily says as she canters towards the dwarves.

“I’m just gonna stay here,” Tim says. “Find a place to meditate.”

“Me too,” Anemone says. “After staying in the underground, I’d like to see about getting as much fresh air and sunlight as possible.”

“I’ll stay too!” Clover says.

“Ditto,” Strelitzia says.

“As for me?” Elizabeth says. She struggles to think of something. “Um…”

“I heard about a library in this park,” Hydrangea says. “Maybe we can go there?”

“Sure!” the fairy accepts Hydrangea’s offer.

“I’ll go as well,” Minerva says. “Nina?”

“Aww,” Nina says. “But I hate reading! Its too complicated.”

“You can stay with timothy if you want.” Minerva says.

Nina thinks about the option and realizes it entails doing nothing all day, her mind shudders at the though of boredom. “Which way to the library?”

Hydrangea points in the direction of a building nearby a stature of a matronly figure coated in stars and galaxies.

“I’ll go as well,” Charlotte says.

“So that will be me, Rose, Azalea, and Whisper in one group, Richard, Sarah, Anemone and Raine in another, Elizabeth, Minerva, Hydrangea, Nina, Charlotte in another and Tim, Strelitzia, Clover and Lily in the last. Is this right?”

“Sounds about right,” Tim says. The others agree.

“Glad to hear it!” Emily says. With that the groups set off their separate ways, agreeing to meet back at the stature by three in the afternoon.

✦✦✦

Using a copy of a map they got on the way out from the park. Emily takes Rose and Azalea towards some apartment complexes.

“What are we doing?” Rose says.

Emily turns to the lamia and her mermaid friend. “I’m looking to see if there are other…people around.”

Rose looks around the building and sighs. “You know it’s kinda obvious you’re trying to find other people to adopt us.”

Emily stutters. “H-how.”

“This is a residential district,” Rose says.

“Whisper says they’d been there several times,” Azalea says. The familiar on her shoulder nods. “Also, we saw you circled all the residential areas on your map.”

Emily slumps over. She had hoped to keep this somewhat secret.

“Why were you trying to hide that from us?” Rose says.

Emily remains silent. I’m still conflicted about the idea of adopting these kids.

Whisper chimes in. “My apologies again. I know that this is a heavy burden We’re asking you to take.”

“No, I get it,” Emily says. “It’s just that…” she struggles to find the words.

“I think this is a wash, to be honest,” Azalea says.

Rose glares at her friend before turning to Emily. The lamia can see conflict and hesitance in her eyes. “If you want to try, then go ahead. Who knows? Perhaps there is someone else that can take us on.”

“Y-yeah,” Emily looks at the two children. “Leave it to me, I’m sure there is someone else interested in having you and your friends.”

A while later…

“I’m sorry, but we’re expecting another child already.” A woman closes the door on Emily.

“Um—“ A man later tries to think of an excuse. “I think my stove’s on fire!” he slams the door.

“You want me to take care of eight Exsecratii orphans!” a haughty woman says. “Don’t make me laugh!”

“Get back!” a superstitious man says while making an X shape with his fingers. “These people are too dangerous!” He panics and slams the door on them.

Rose sighs. “That’s five whole buildings now.”

“I knew it was a wash, “Azelia says. “But the rejection feels like a tidal wave.”

Emily is left confused as to why the Elegere are adamant about not adopting these girls. She checks her time and sees that it is now 2:15 PM. “We have time for one more building,” Emily says.

Over there, they find more of the same. The residents are unwilling to adopt the coloraturas, some more brazen about it than others. A dejected Emily leaves the apartments.

“I’m sorry,” Emily says to the children.

“It’s okay,” Azalea says. “We all knew this was coming.”

“Um,” Rose says. “About that train thing…”

“What train thing?” Emily says.

“You and the Alraune girl seemed tense when talking to that bard,” Rose says. “Did something happen?”

Emily stays silent. She is unsure if they should know about the incident in Hamlin and its after-effects. Rose senses the tension in Emily’s eyes, but her concern is eclipsed by curiosity.

“I don’t think I can explain—“

“Come on,” Rose says. “You can tell me. I’m a great listener.”

“Rose,” Whisper says. “You know you shouldn't press people like that.” The familiar has already known of the complications Emily faces.

Emily tries to change the topic. “We should head back to the park, it’s almost three.”

“Can’t wait to park myself back there,” Azalea says.

Rose chuckles at the attempted joke as the three return to Anesidora Park.

✦✦✦

Meanwhile. Richard, Sarah, Raine, and Lily check out various shops and quest boards, looking for the materials they need.

“So,” Raine says. “You two are craftsmen?”

“Of course!” Sarah says.

The four enter a boutique, and Richard asks the cashier to browse the place.

As they look over the various clothes. Richard takes some notes. He observes a lime green zoot suit. “Hmm, the colors are interesting, but I’m not sure if suits are appropriate,” he thinks. He then turns to a nearby mannequin, holding a tubular dress with fur trim. “That seems a little too warm,” he thinks.

Lily canters over to clothing more suited to her four-legged physique. She sees several jeans made specifically for her but looks at the price tag. “I can’t afford that…” she thinks

Raine talks with Sarah some more.

“You’re a blacksmith?” the phoenixian girl says.

“Of course!” Sarah says with a bright smile. “I aim to work the finest metals into sturdy armor and sharp arms. My brother handles the finer work of textiles and jewelry.”

Raine looks at the dwarf’s armor, clearly well-worn with little signs of breaking apart. “Why are you so interested in us?” Sarah says.

“N-no reason,” Raine says. She puts up an aloof front to hide her interest in crafting. But Sarah can see right through it.

“Y’know,” Sarah says. “We could use an extra pair of hands around the workshop, maybe you want to be my apprentice if Emily adopts you?”

“Would I—?” Raine clears her throat. “I mean that would be appreciated, ma’am.”

“Sarah,” Sarah says with a furrowed brow. “Please call me Sarah.”

“Right,” Raine says. “Thank you, Sarah.”

Meanwhile Lily calls Richard over to examine the expensive jeans. “Hmm,” Richard says looking at the four-legged pair of pants and the four-legged girl. He writes a note for Lily specifically.

“Anyway,” Rciahrd says with curiosity. “How did you handle life in the dreadful underground?”

Lily beams a cheerful smile. “My friends and I have lots of fun there!” she says. “I mean we often end up in peril just moving around and barely have enough food to feed the eight of us, but the folk here are nice!”

Richard is a little aghast. “How did you get enough to eat.”

“Whisper took us to a diner!” Lily says. “Miss Jacquelyn was very sweet and gave us whatever food she could get from there.”

“A…diner?” Richard finds the location odd, “Where did the ingredient come from?’

“Dunno!” Lily says with a happy expression.

Richard grows a little concerned. “I’ll have to ask about that later,” He then realizes the oddity in caring about the wellness of people he had just derided as scoundrels yesterday.

After leaving the store the quartet heads towards a materials hop to ask about the locations of Floenesium, Orichalcum, and Arcanite. By the time they finished, they realized is it five minutes to three and rushed towards the park.

✦✦✦

Elizabeth is at the library in Anesidora Park with Hydrangea, Minerva, Nina, and Charlotte. She and Hydrangea are reading a book on urban legends in Noir.

Meanwhile, Minerva finds a storybook for Nina and helps her daughter read it.

“The cat and the cuckoo—” Nina reads from the text. “Travelled the um…”

“Wonderous,” Minerva says, pointing to the word.

“One-der-ous world of..of..”

Minerva sees the name of the setting, finding it unusually complex from the context of a picture book. “Ereshkigal?” she thinks. She is aware that it was a name that people recently used to refer to the Pathfinder.

“I-res-she-gal?” Nina tries to read the word.

The fairy and the cyan-haired girl noticed Nina saying the name incorrectly and approached them. “[Ereshkigal, the Pathfinder]?” Elizabeth says.

“Who is that?” Nina says.

“[The Pathfiner],” Elizabeth says. “Is a special Administrator.” The fairy is uncertain how to broach the topic of death to the young girl, much less the topic of one who oversees the sea of souls. “She is associated with [Revotos].”

Nina finds the name familiar for some reason before recalling her trip to the valley. “Does that mean she is associated with that village?”

“No,” Elizabeth says. “The pair are rather special gods,” she says. “Known throughout the world. But…”

Minerva sighs. “We’ll have to talk about them one day, Nina, but not today.”

“Why not, mommy?” Nina says.

“The domains of these gods are sleep and death,” Minerva says. The Arachne mother is wondering why that specific Administrator was named dropped in a children’s book of all things. Perhaps it was intended to ease the young readers into the topic of death and the afterlife, perhaps the unknown author wrote it to cope with other topics.

Hydrangea looks at the picture book and sees that the protagonists have met an unusual end. She also finds the date of the first publication. “This seemed like a very old story,” she says.

“How old are we talking?” Minerva says.

Hydrangea shows Elizabeth the date. “Old enough to be around the time of [the Plague of Ruin].”

Minerva suddenly understands.

“What’s that?” Nina says with curiosity.

“I’ll tell you when you’re older,” her mother says.

“Oh come on!” the spiderling says. Disturbing the other patrons.

“Nina,” Minerva says, gazing at her daughter. Nina tries to argue but her mother’s eyes mesmerize away any will to do so. “Okay,”

Minerva sighs. “I wish I didn’t have to do that,” she thinks.

“Minerva,” Elizabeth says. “Maybe we should refrain from using those abilities on her?”

“I’m sorry,” Minerva says. “Nina can be a handful for me sometimes.”

Hydrangea is a little curious. “Is your husband…”

“Dead, I’m afraid.” Minerva was curt about the death of her beloved. “Was mistaken for a predatory by careless hunters.”

Meanwhile, Charlotte is ready for a book on animal care. Her mind is still fixated on Orpheus and his sisters. Doubt lingers in her mind as she fears the older brother would want retribution on them if he learns they are at the Black Box and unable to leave.

A solemn mood fills the library. The awkward topic leads the group to head to the front desk and leave. Hydrangea checks out several books for Anemone at the desk.

✦✦✦

Elsewhere in the park. Tim tries to meditate, surrounded by trees. He thinks back to his fight with Chiron and his wind shield. Trying to find out how he did that and how he can replicate the feat.

Anemone meanly lays back nearby, taking in the natural beauty of the park. Clover talks with several of the critters, with Streltizia keeping a close eye on her.

Tim focuses on the battle and Chiron’s move, after he finishes meditating, he tries to manipulate the wind to create a barrier. With a move of his leg, the wind circles around him, he then thrusts with one of his palms as he assumes a modified horse stance. The wind swells around him. He then slides his leg in an arc and then…nothing. The wind slows into a breeze. Tim is left frustrated by the failure.

“What are you trying to do?” Anemone says.

“It doesn’t concern you,” Tim says to the little girl.

“It kinda does if you’re trying to create tornadoes,” Strelitizia says with a blunt tone.

Tim glares at the minotaur.

“Did you know that twisters are made by warm and cold air mixing togeth—“

“Yes, I know,” Tim says as he walks towards somewhere more quiet.

“It seems like you’re trying to replicate a specific use of Bardsong using mana manipulation techniques,” Anemone says.

Tim is rather surprised by the lycanthrope’s response and stops. “How do you know about that?”

“I make it a hobby of mine to research magic and how it works,” Anemone says with a smile. “That said I don’t think whatever it is you’re trying to do is possible.”

“Oh really,” Tim says. “How so?”

“Bardsong is an emotional art,” Anemone says. “It depends on the emotions of the caster, The principles of the techniques dictate that whatever effect you’re trying to achieve requires a similar emotional stimulus.”

“Stimulus?” Strelitzia is confused by the word.

“A cause, basically,” Anemone says. “Bardsong predates the more generalized magic, and as such has some effects on it. The emotional connection being the most relevant connection.”

Tim is reminded of a conversation he had with his mentor. Where he learned that the elements had their own emotions and that he had to learn what the emotions are to use the elements.

Elizabeth’s group arrives. Hydrangea hands Anemone some books on loan from the library. “They are due in two weeks,” the bespectacled girl says to the wolf-eared one.

“Oh, thank you!” Anemone eagerly takes the books from Hydrnagea.

Tim turns to the fairy, aware that Elizabeth is knowledgeable about Bardsong. “Can you tell me about the emotional side of Bardsong?”

“Certainly,” Elizabeth says. “[Bardsong] is said to manipulate both magic and elements. How that does it varies, but it is said that each element is associated with certain emotions.”

“What does wind represent then?”

“Wind is said to be the element for confusion and optimism,” Elizabeth says.

“Take me for example!” Clover says. “I can be very optimistic,”

“And confusing,” Hydrangea mutters.

“Did you say something Hydrangea?” the peryton says.

Hydrangea ignores her.

“The wind is a fickle thing, Tim,” Elizabeth says. “At least in the case of Bardsong. It takes a keen understanding of it to have it act on your behalf.”

Tim is surprised to hear that, before realizing that he merely uses the wind to repel or to lift himself, tasks that are easily within its nature. “What can be done to say, get it to create a barrier?” he asks.

At that point, Elizabeth realizes why Tim’s sudden interest. “It’s about Chiron, isn’t it?”

Tim nods.

Anemone knows who he is talking about. “Isn’t that that priest from New Virginia?”

“The very same, Elizabeth says. “He and Tim fought to the draw once.”

“Ah,” Anemone says.

“A draw?” Streltizia is confused. “You’re getting worked up over a draw?”

“A draw and a loss means the same thing to me,” Tim says.

“I don’t think there is anything I can do to help you learn his skills,” Elizabeth says.

“As the fairy said,” Anemone says. “The wind is a fickle thing, you might need to focus on another element if magical wards are what you want.”

Tim sighs.

Richard and Emily’s groups return. One succeeded in their goals, and the other failed.

“We’re back!” Emily says.

The time is now three in the afternoon. There are still a few hours left before having to return to the hotel.

“What’s the verdict?” Tim says.

“Still not takers,” Rose says.

“Yeah…” Emily whispers to Tim after approaching him. “They found out I was looking for other people to adopt them.”

The other coloratura could infer Rose was referring to the Elegere and their attempts to find other adopters. Raine and Strelitzia react with a bit of frustration at that and the implcation that Emily might not be willing to take them on.

“We fared better,” Sarah says. “Brother found some good ideas and some places to get some choice metals, and I’ve found some good places to eat!”

“Metals?” Emily says.

“For the dungeon, dear,” Richard says. “I need you to be able to produce certain metals for a project of mine.”

“Oh,” Emily says.

“Gotta wait for that redhead to return first, right?” Rose says.

“I think so,” Emily says. Her stomach begins to growl.

“I got some spare cash, we cna eat at one of these places I found,” Sarah says. “My treat!”

Sarah leads them outside the park and towards their new destination.

✦✦✦

Earlier in the day, Heathcliff and Esteban arrive at one of the skyscrapers. Decorated with swords and shields that are black in hue.

“The Ebony Guards, guildhall,” Heathcliff says. “Thanks for the lift, Esteban.”

Esteban tips his hat as Heathcliff exits his vehicle. He enters the guild hall and finds a line of various people in front of him.

While Heathcliff waits, Esteban enters the building and takes an elevator to a certain floor. There he finds the man he was in contact with for the past several months. He looks out at the skyline from his lofty office.

“I heard there’s a new dungeon in town,” the enigmatic man says. Stella’s light reveals his dark complexion. A shade darker than Esteban’s.

“Yeah, so?” Esteban says. He isn’t sure if he should trust the Empyrean man.

The man chuckles. He prefers Esteban but doesn’t trust him yet. To him, it is a sign that the Azure Rouge has not lost its edge.

“Now then,” Esteban says. “Are you certain that Gatsby Tower has info from the Vorhees gang?”

“Of course,” the man says. “My sources tell me that the Syndicate had brokered a deal with the dungeon at a neutral place.”

“The 4706 nightclub?” Esteban says.

The man nods. “Jay has always been interested in how others arrange parties, always looking for inspiration.”

“Tell me,” Esteban says. “Why, perched in your ivory tower and with control of a part of the Guards, have you come to the Rouges?”

“It is because I stand aloft the others,” the man says as he turns to the blue-coated man. “That I do not trust the Ebony Guards. I know more than anyone else that they would make the situation worse, for the Syndicate’s leaders are also my fellow Empyreans.”

Esteban is nonplussed to hear that. It is an open secret in the Underground that the mob’s rulers reside at the peaks of society. It is part of the reason why the Rouges had formed, to begin with.

“I’ve also heard you were looking into getting eight girls adopted?”

“I think that is already taken care of,” Esteban says. “Got to give it some time first.”

“Fair enough,” the man says. “If these girls are what I think they are, they are better off away from Noir entirely.”

“Care to elaborate?” Esteban says.

“Not today,” the man says. “You already know the dangers Strega poses, and anything beyond that should wait until we have a better understanding of each other.”

Esteban knows he isn’t gonna get anything of value from him right now. He silently leaves the room. The man bids farewell to him as he takes the elevator down.

By the time he returns to the ground floor, Heathcliff is waiting for him at a nearby table. “How did it go?” Esteban says.

“C'était un jeu d'enfant, cher,” Heathcliff says. “How was your own business?”

“Fine,” Esteban says.

“Kinda surprised to see the Rouges talking with the top brass of the Guards like that,” Heathcliff says. “Just last year y’all were at each other throats.”

“I don’t think our relationship has improved that much,” Esteban says with uncertainty as to why one of the leaders of the guild had asked for another guild’s aid. The two men return tot heir car and ride back to the hotel room.

✦✦✦

In another place, far away from Noir. The sounds of engines and machinery whirl as Pruflas travels through a Dungeon. The demonic bard sneaks past robot Cells, made of glass and gears as he searches for the core. He plays his pipe to conjure illusions to distract the machines.

“That damned wench!” A voice bellows through the factories and smokestacks. “How dare she say I was not strong enough.”

“Looks like this is the right one, indeed,” Pruflas says with a smirk. Earlier he had been granted a task from his fellow demons, to grant a certain dungeon exactly what it wants. Pruflas soon arrives at a room where conveyor belts converge at a large furnace. He plays a small tune on his pipe, alerting the core to his presence.

“Who dares intrude upon my domain?” The dungeon’s voice echoes to the man.

“I am but a humble traveler, sir,” the bard says. “Here on word that you wanted something new?”

The furnaces flare up as the conveyor belts accelerate, and scraps of metal on the belts are rapidly fed to the inferno.

“Now calm down kind dungeons, I come in peace,” the demon says. He takes out a small crystal. “Inside this small gemstone lies certain knowledge. Truths, lies, and means are encoded inside. Accept this gift and what the cat denied you. Shall become yours to do with as you please.”

The furnace slows down, and the fire quells. “I know what you are fowl demon. What is your catch.”

“My humble offer, the victor gets the spoils. If you accept this offer, your core unbinds. If your avatara falls to another. The victor shall receive all of your mana. But if you use this gift, it shan’t concern you. A small price to pay for such power, right?”

The dungeon muses on the offer. He knows that the power the cat woman had denied him would enable him to gather a higher yield of mana than usual and to grow faster. That strength is what he needs to absorb other dungeons and grow more powerful in turn.

“We stand across, on the winds of change,” Pruflas says. “Refuse this and you might get left behind. She will find a dungeon to her standards. Inevitably, unpreventable.”

After a while. The core responses. “Very well, demon. State thy name”

“I am the Piper Pruflas, kind dungeon,” the black and red-clad man says. “And if I may ask for your other name?”

One of the cells relives the crystal from Pruflas’ hand and places it on the conveyor belt. “I am Baron Roberts,” the core responds. “The Engines incarnate!”

“pleasure to meet you, o Baron Roberts,” Pruflas says. “May these engines of yours move eternally.” The demonic bard then vanishes.