Inferno looked ahead as he looked towards the medical ward, with a soft sigh. He had been summoned there by Nomad to discuss what he wanted to do once the two rebellion leaders were finally recovered and he was still unsure about tham himself. He took a deep breath and entered, looking to see Leblanc sitting up a little with Nomad behind her gently rubbing her shoulders, the fighter clearly still sore from the battle. Inferno smiled softly as Melody walked over and stood beside him. “Well nice of you to visit your majesty, things are going smoothly here with our recovery.” She assured him with a soft smile, which was a relief to Inferno since she did such a dangerous risk that could’ve killed her, and he was just glad no one had to die. “I am happy to hear that Melody. What about Leblanc? Is she still too sore to move?” He wondered as Melody glanced over at the queen and the warrior. “I think it is safe to say she is recovering just fine. But on the subject of that, I did have a request. I talked about it with Leblanc and she wasn’t sure how to go about bringing it up here so here it is, we want to join your ranks, not as anything special which I wouldn’t blame you given circumstance, but we wish to repay a debt to this kingdom.” Melody said, getting a surprised grunt from Leblanc, as if joking on something as she looked at Melody in surprise. “Oh can it Leblanc, you know we discussed that. Besides it’s not like we have much of an option.” Melody laughed a bit at her friend's reaction. Nomad looked at Inferno curiously as she smiled and nodded, leaving it to the prince to decide what was best. Inferno sighed gently but chuckled at the amusing situation that just unfolded as he looked at Melody and Leblanc. “I would love to have you amongst my ranks, both of you. You are both powerful, formidable even. Your help would be greatly appreciated. And I could always use more generals when the time comes for another battle.” Inferno smiled as he walked over and extended a hand to Leblanc. “And besides, I don’t believe in executing those who have valid reasons for their actions. My father Drazernon, and my adoptive father Drax might not agree with my nature, but I feel you had good reason for what you did. And if we can close that gap and grow to understand one another, we can make the kingdom a better place. So please, accept my offer of being a general.” He said as he extended his hand and Leblanc gently reached forward and shook it, nodding as she did such. She looked at Inferno, but hid her smile behind a stoic face. Looking at the prince, she felt something, a compassion, an understanding, Inferno was an open book, she realized that what she saw is all there is. A loving prince who wants a perfect world. Leblanc didn’t feel a hatred, or an anger towards him like she did other royals and nobles. She felt a bond that could grow. “I accept it. I’d shake your hand but I don’t want to make unnecessary advances.” Melody chuckled, keeping up her joking attitude to keep herself cheered up, since she still had the underlying emotions of her manipulation sitting inside. Inferno smiled softly at Melody, glad that she was trying her best to keep the mood high, especially when he understood what she must be going through. He looked at her gently, Inferno remembered how this all started, being used as a piece of Drazernon’s plan, being used to unleash an unnatural hell upon the world. Inferno was just happy that it had been brought to a halt, thanks to Ornstein and the others. The silence of his looks was broken when Melody spoke once again. “Your majesty, I also have a request. While we were recovering here, I felt something, a weird aura of some sort. It had awoken elsewhere in this town, and I wanted to know what it must be?” She spoke formally, which was a bit off putting for Inferno but he gave a nod as he looked at Nomad, curious himself as the queen helped Leblanc lean back once more and she stood. “You wish to know that? Well I can’t say it isn’t worth knowing, since this might be a threat we must all face. A demon was reawakened, one very deadly and quick to destroy all around her. In ancient times she was said to be believed as the ruling queen of the continent our kingdom resides on. She oversaw the land that was once united as one massive kingdom. We don’t know how authentic and genuine this history is, but it was said that she even held a power that would wipe a person from existence with one single attack.” She said, and people have seen this first hand, namely Thanatos, as well as Maxwell who did his investigation on the school. “We do not know her aim yet, or her motivations, but what we do know is we must start pushing to bring her down and seal her away once more. There is no telling what she will do to this world if she is left to live. Her name, at least in our mortal knowledge and language, is Nelvona, the mistress of darkness. Even my own powers can’t see what she is after.” Nomad informed them, a soft sigh escaping her lips as she walked towards the door. “We will know what we must do as we learn more about her, but for now we mustn’t make hasty choices. Inferno, I see the look in your eye. I will not try to stop you, but I will warn you, please wait. I know you want to stop this as soon as possible, but if you die at her hands, what will we do?” She spoke before excusing herself, the door of the ward opening, and soon shutting with a slight slam. The room was silent as Inferno looked to a nearby window, his mind wandering. She wasn’t wrong, his immediate thought was to chase down Nelvona and try to stop her himself, but that warning seemed very ominous. “I will have Ornstein come and give you guys a rundown of what being a general entails in a little bit, I will come see how you two are later. Get some rest.” Inferno smiled gently as he nodded to the duo before walking out, looking forward as he thought to himself, his right claw twitching a little as he wondered. “I can’t just leave this be. Someone like her is a threat to my family, and my friends. I know she says I should wait it out. But how can I sit idly by when someone threatens the very well being of my kingdom, and my people?” The prince spoke aloud to himself, no one in particular as he made his way to the courtyard, and walked over to the garden area to try and meditate, taking a seat beneath a tree, the shade covering him well as a gentle breeze blew by. Inferno took a deep breath, calming his nerves as he leaned back against the tree and meditated a little, his mind slowly keeping itself at ease. His ears twitched as he heard some light movement nearby as he gently opened an eye and looked, seeing a black wolf looking at and examining a flower as he had a book open on his lap, he was sitting on a stone step getting a good look at the flower. Inferno noticed him and smiled gently as he opened both eyes and stood up, making his way over to the wolf as his tail swayed gently. “Good afternoon Kenta.” Inferno spoke, making the wolf jump in surprise and nearly drop the book, thankfully grabbing it in the air. “Oh hello your majesty. Good afternoon to you as well.” He smiled gently as he looked at the hybrid, his smile shown with a very faint blush, as the wolf closed the book and held it close to his chest, looking at the man. His heart was racing a little bit as he was a bit nervous, and shy towards the prince. Kenta would be lying if he said he didn’t have feelings for the prince, but would never make an advance like that without heavy consideration, since most royals would rather be with other nobility, and Kenta was simply a commoner. “What are you reading there?” Inferno asked curiously as he examined the book in the wolf man's paws, smiling gently as Kenta showed him it was one of his school books, it was about plant life. “It is nothing special, just a part of my studies, even though I am learning more about cooking and other stuff like that, I figured a nice side hobby wouldn’t hurt, and this royal garden is the best place for me to do such research. I am far from a scholar but I do enjoy looking at stuff like the flowers.” Kenta explained to him as he opened the book and showed the page he was originally on, that was talking about a flower before them. It was a simple, purple and white violet. The two knelt down to look at it as Kenta started to read. “This flower is said to be a symbol of faith and affection, especially between two people romantically. It is actually very rare in Elderitch despite its commonality. So seeing it here is really amazing.” Kenta said, a slight excitement showing through as his tail gently wagged, Inferno listening with a smile as he examined the flower. “Faith and affection huh? Kind of interesting if you ask me, I can see why it might be considered that.” He said with a gentle smile as he watched it, Kenta doing some more reading as Inferno thought, realizing that this could be a hint, as he glanced up and looked at Kenta. “You know, you’re kind of adorable when you get excited, especially reading whatever is in that book you are holding.” Inferno smiled and gave a chuckle, the wolf gasping and stumbling his words as he almost dropped the book once more, catching it barely before it fell to the ground, his face growing red slowly as he wrapped his arms around the book and slightly buried his face in it, Inferno laughing softly as he watched Kenta get flustered. “Maybe this flower is a sign.” He started at Kenta gently, a very warm smile showing on Inferno’s face as he gently stood up and looked the man in the eyes. Kenta was so flustered, his eyes not focusing on anything specific as they wandered to try and not meeting Inferno’s gaze. Inferno smiled and gently ran a paw across Kenta’s face, starting on his cheek and gently moving it down to his chin as he watched him. “I was serious in what I said about you being cute when you do that.” He smiled as Kenta whined in embarrassment as his tail wagged, showing he was actually loving this. “Your majesty…” He said softly as he looked up, his gaze finally meeting with Inferno’s, his blush slowly fading as he looked. Inferno had a loving, gentle smile, a protective gaze. He was a caring man, and his actions and motions really showed it. “I…” Kenta started as Inferno looked curiously, wondering what was holding him back. “I like you…” He muttered gently as Inferno softly smiled. “But I just can’t bring myself to push the idea, because you already have Lord Ornstein, and Lady Scathatch. I just feel I would be out of place and don’t deserve to be graced by you like they deserve.” Inferno smiled hearing that and chuckled softly as he rubbed his head a bit in a slight teasing manner. “I wouldn’t worry about what you deserve. Believe it or not, Scath and Ornstein both come from very different backgrounds. Ornstein was a noble son but has since abandoned his family because of disagreement. And Scath was someone enlisted by recommendation of one of the commoners, they said she was a good fighter and King Drax brought her along. Title and status mean nothing to me, and if you're worried about having too many close suitors or something like that, you shouldn’t worry. My grandfather Amadeus had many women by his side, all loving to him and he made time for each of them. In history kings have had multiple lovers for one reason or another. My reason just happens to be I am introduced to too many cute potentials.” He teased as Kenta blushed, but looked up with a hopeful look to him, his words digging into his soul in a form of comfort. “Basically to simplify what I am saying, I want you to join me Kenta, I don’t expect you to fight, I just want you around.” He smiled softly, Inferno could read people well, and he knew Kenta was a good and loving individual, and he wanted someone like that around. Kenta was at a loss for words, as he felt the prince wrap his arms around him, the wolf blushing as he was embraced by the dragon wolf mix. Inferno’s wings closed around them as Inferno rested his head on top of Kenta’s, gently kissing him on the head as the wolf looked up, all fear and nervousness leaving as he saw a gentle smile across the face of the prince he had fallen for. “I…” Kenta said softly as he shut his eyes and gently placed his head against his chest, listening to Inferno’s calm heartbeat, everything around him fading as he felt at peace, listening softly as he placed a paw against his chest softly and sighed gently. “I accept.” He said softly as he looked up and gently kissed Inferno on the chin, given the awkward position it was the best he could do. Inferno was happy, but didn’t want to break this silent beautiful moment. He just gently embraced Kenta still and walked carefully back to the tree, sitting and relaxing with Kenta leaning into him, the world around them in silent peace, the wind blowing was all they felt or heard. Inferno sighed softly as he looked up at the sky, despite his worries about Nelvona, he now had another reason to fight. Another person to protect. “I love you Kenta. I will always protect you.” He said gently as Kenta smiled happily. “And I will always serve you as a spouse fitting a king, your majesty.” He said softly, almost inaudible as he slowly drifted off, Inferno doing the same as his eyes shut and he drifted into sleep with Kenta wrapped up in his arms. Watching nearby, Draga smiled softly as he and Lynx monitored from a distance. “Why did we have to sit here and watch this?” Lynx asked with a slight chuckle, as he felt it was unnecessary to watch Inferno fall in love. Draga rolled his eyes hearing the question as Camilimara sat nearby them, alongside Eeyruuad. “Aside from it being our job to watch over Inferno, I figured it would be good not to be always by his side. We are his retainers now after all with this new pact. And you never know with Inferno, he likes to act on impulse and throw himself onto the frontline, so if he decides to go and fight that demon Nelvona, we need to be ready to follow him.” Draga explained as his weapon allies nodded. Lynx sighed at the idea but did nod as well. “Point taken Draga. Still, I don’t think Inferno is that stupid to just hunt down a demon Thanatos and Arakah couldn’t handle. I know he likes to handle things his way and alone but I feel in this situation he will try to at least get us to help.” Draga once again nodded as he watched Inferno from the distance. “Yeah. But I also can’t deny that I wanted to see this unfold. Ever since Lea brought Kenta around I had a weird feeling Inferno would fall for him. It was just nice to see him go for it.” He said as Lynx chuckled a little in response. “You are such a strange guy sometimes, Draga, but I can’t say I blame you, I do see where you are coming from by calling it cute. Now I just hope Inferno can handle having three romantic partners, especially when he has three kids on the way. “I am sure he will be fine. But I am sorry to change subjects suddenly, but I had some insight on Nelvona I wanted to discuss with you two.” Camilimara said finally, looking towards her master and Lynx. “I don’t know much about her myself because I haven’t looked at all the history behind her, but the members of Eeyruuad and My people have heard a story of something like this. We don’t know the details, but apparently it is foretold how she will be defeated. I think it would be in our best interest to check the library in the castle to see if we can find a transcript from our long forgotten tribe, because I feel we are approaching doom if we sit back and wait for her. It is just an insight I figured we can’t ignore.” She said as she stood up and watched them. Lynx had a bit of an uncomfortable look to him as he shifted in his seat since that was a bit of a heavy topic to bring up, but he couldn’t argue with it, she made a point. What could they do? Draga thought to himself for a second. “Lets go to the library. I think Inferno will be fine for now, we can’t risk this becoming an actual issue.” The trio of dragons left, but Lynx stayed where he was, looking towards Inferno with a sigh. “Heh, everyone is so worried about this. I wonder why? Honestly, if I died, I don’t think I would be worried. Not like I have anything going for me to begin with.” He said silently, looking off before he got himself up and walked towards the town, he had some thinking to do. He felt something building inside of him, but he couldn’t describe it. - Thanatos made his way into the village and saw Sahïr waiting for him, pacing back and forth at the entrance instead of waiting in his tent. Thanatos approached carefully and looked. “Finally back, you sent me to my death almost you damned old bastard.” Thanatos said as he threw the journal at his feet, but it was noticeably smaller than before, indicating pages had been ripped out and removed from the academy to the village. “They summoned some beast named Nelvona, that psychotic demon bitch tried to kill me! That was all that remained when I finally got out of there, lucky those royals didn’t notice me with it.” He said as Sahïr picked up the journal and nodded a bit, mostly ignoring the man's complaining. “Oh pipe down, I knew you wouldn’t die. That woman told me already she gave you an amulet, and said it should protect you from whatever that beast used. You are being quite dramatic. I am actually glad you retrieved this though, because it helps me give you a better reward.” Sahïr said as he walked towards his hut, the dragon rolling his eyes and following. “By the way, why is this so small, it is quite clear notes are ripped out, and knowing Arakah, the man of Blood and Shadows, he would not just rip out research.” “Beats me. I think Nelvona might have gotten a hold of it before I did and removed anything of worth. I didn’t bother checking it out. What even is it?” Thanatos asked, lying his way through the conversation as Sahïr wasn’t the wiser. Sahïr smirked a little as he entered his hut and started reading to himself. “It is Arakah’s notes from the day he started teaching, to whenever it ended. It will give me plenty of insight to his dark arts, and give me an idea of how to make my rituals even more of a success.” He says as Thanatos looked and noticed a bloodied corpse lying on a table with a seal under it. Thanatos grunted in surprise but kept his mouth shut, it was insanity to say the least that Sahïr would use living beings without knowing if it would succeed. “Rituals again, huh? I guess I did ask what they were before. But now I have my eyes on a bigger goal. That Nelvona, what can we accomplish with her being active once more?” Thanatos asked, ignoring the stench of death around him. “I am glad but annoyed you ask such things. Nelvona will keep those royal jerks occupied long enough for me to achieve my goal. Once my final ritual is complete, I will slowly use it to raise myself an army. Where I go from there, well, let’s just say that is a little secret.” The leopard smirked as he went back to reading, Thanatos looking around a little as he wondered if there was anything present that could give him a clue as to what this man was implying. Thanatos nodded “Well, I am going to take a walk out of the village and let you read that. When I get back I expect some answers.” He said as he left Sahïr to his work, the man mostly ignoring Thanatos. The dragon noticed the amulet still around his neck and wondered if he should return it, before shaking his head and walking, leaving it be for now. As long as he had it, Sahïr might have to cooperate, and that man was nowhere strong enough to try and take it by force. He walked through the village gate and went to a nearby river to think, leaning himself near a tree and putting his stuff down for the moment, walking over and kneeling down as he rinsed his face a bit to wake himself up some. It has barely been a year and he has seen more than he cared for, but at this pace, he knew he wasn’t about to get out of any of it. “Guess you’re stuck for the long haul ain’t ya?” Thanatos chuckled to his reflection, until he noticed a ripple in the water as he stood and looked around. He silently walked to the tree and grabbed his sword just in case, before a bow sped past him, whistling in the air as it barely grazed by his neck. Thanatos smirked and removed the sheath of his sword and got it ready, another arrow flying his way as he swung, cutting it in half as it went around him. He looked around silently as he looked for his assailant, surprised he was so hidden and out of sense. He heard some movement near the water and he glanced, seeing a cloaked figure running along the edge of the water, but as Thanatos focused his sight, he noticed the man was standing on the water. “Hmm? Magic user maybe? A magic archer isn’t unheard of. But what does he want?” Thanatos wondered as he carefully dodged another arrow flying his way and spreading his wings, smirking. “Eh, who cares?” He said as he took off towards the attacker. The man leapt up, water droplets flying up as he jumped, and Thanatos sped right through them, his face hitting the drops and getting wet in the process. The man oddly kicked off the air and backflipped, firing an arrow at Thanatos, Piercing a wing, making him grunt as he rolled to the side. He glanced at the hole in his wing and grunted again. “Shit!” he said and stood, his wings folding behind him to protect them. “Heh, can’t handle a single arrow? To be expected from someone working with someone as shady as Sahïr. I have been watching you Thanatos. From the moment you arrived in that village.” The man landed, and Thanatos realized what it was now, the man was wearing a crystal around his neck, it was glowing blue. Thanatos didn’t know the name but had heard of a tribe of magic creatures, each tied to different elements. “So, you are one of those weird elementals aren’t you? If I had to guess, water, given how you are just floating there.” The man smirked and pulled back his hood, a brown wolf underneath, smirking as he had a scarred left eye, and a damaged right eye. He could see, but it was limited, so it would explain why he was using the water. “Quite perceptive of you, yet your talents are wasted working for the likes of the Chit’vani. I have seen what you are capable of Thanatos, and for that you must die. People like you are way too much of a roadblock.” The man spoke with a smooth yet fierce voice, as he drew his bow and without a second to blink, another arrow sped towards Thanatos, the man leaping to the side and chucking a fireball at him. The man smirked and did a quick spin as he got himself close to the water surface and tipped an arrow into the water, before firing it towards the fireball, dissipating it and quickly flying at Thanatos again. Thanatos growled seeing that happen as he reached and caught the arrow by the tail as he reached him, snapping it in half. “You think that is enough to stop me? Get real kid, I am a trained mercenary. You don’t stand a chance against me.” He smirked as the wolf watched from the water, carefully stepping around as the gem kept shining. “Good thing I don’t have to stand a chance. I never intended to finish this today, I just wanted to remind you, a roadblock like you must die, especially when you work for them.” He smirked and fired a volley of six at the dragon, Thanatos gasping as he swung around and swiped the sword across all six, breaking them in their path. Before he could focus again on the man, the wolf ran up and lunged a knee into Thanatos’s gut with insane speed, the dragon gasping as he spit out some blood, the force throwing him back against a rock, Thanatos grunting in pain when he collided with it. “Just remember, I am always watching Thanatos. Awake, asleep, alone, in a group. It doesn’t matter. I will make sure all who work for wrong will be brought to an end. Lucky for you, you are low on the list. I have some targets in Elderitch I need to handle before you.” The man fired an arrow and made sure it struck him in the hand holding his sword, Thanatos roared out in anger as he glared at the man who just leapt up and was gone without a word. Thanatos winced a little as he grabbed the arrow and yanked it from his hand, grabbing a piece of cloth in his bag, ripping it a bit and wrapping it around the wound, leaning back against the rock and breathing oddly as he made sure to not lose consciousness. After a few moments he could finally think. “Damn. What was that? First that demon, not this? You are a lot more trouble than you are worth to aid old man. Still, he only succeeded in attacking when I was distracted. I just need to train my focus and I won’t let this happen again.” Thanatos said to himself through strain and pain before he gently stood up. He shook his head and gently grabbed his stuff and made his way back to the village, limping a little. Thanatos now felt rage, anger, he needed revenge, and he swore he’d get it. - The wolf stopped as he arrived at a cave and hid inside for a minute, making sure Thanatos didn’t follow him. The man chuckled a bit as he set his bag down and made a small fire in the cave, to take a minute to warm up and relax, the crystal around his neck had finally stopped glowing. “Thanatos sure was something, I didn’t think I’d actually struggle to shoot him more than once. I am glad the old volley trick still works though, no one ever expects it.” He chuckled as he sat and removed his cloak and shoes, sitting back in basic commoner clothing and a light leather breastplate around him. “I forgot dragon kin have rough skin, so kneeing him clearly wasn’t the best idea. That actually hurt.” He chuckled as he grabbed out his target list and read off the names to himself: “Your targets are as follows: Melody Maxwell, Bael, Marianne, the wife of Raigh, Amadeus Adams the second Lynx, son of Duke Verius Thanatos Info and Bael and Thanatos is limited so do what you can and must. Each holds a hindrance to the goal of our people as they all hold something or someone that ties into our plans for control. Do not fail us Logan.” “Heh, using my name like it will scare me, so what if they know who I am? Still, this is quite the task, and I am glad I took it. Not every day your skills as a mercenary get tested. Still, I should be the only one of my tribe left alive last I heard, so who sent this mission? And how do they know my name?” He wondered aloud as his boots dried next to the fire. As he sat there a chill ran down his spine as he felt a portal open nearby in the cave, a cloaked figure walking out. “The answers you seek may just be closer than you think Logan.” He spoke, Logan standing and looking, a bit nervous but a cocky smirk gracing his face as he grabbed his bow and got ready, before the man raised a hand. “Oh relax, I have no need to fight. I do want to offer you a deal though.” The man lowered his own hood to show Alucard. “Heh, you just don’t stay dead. Alucard, butler of late King Drazernon, Traitor to the kingdom of Elderitch, confirmed dead yet still alive. Yeah, I know you and I will start by saying I don’t want anything to do with you or your damned agreements.” Logan said as Alucard smirked. “You say that, but I will say this, you have a future ahead you may enjoy, if you do as I say.” Alucard smirked at him, Logan listening but keeping his bow drawn. “You have my attention.” He said as Alucard smirked sinisterly.