"Well, for now, that will ease people to know that we are prepared with competent leadership in spite of the status of both Charon and Caroline. I will be here as a guide to ensure that things go smoothly as we prepare to face the Three Generals." Imogen turns back to the group present once the live broadcast is taken off air. Chandler is standing before her, ready to listen to what she has to say. 

Crowley, on the other hand, is not pleased with any of these decisions that have been made without his knowledge that this was something in the works. His frown deepens as he thinks back to when he first encountered Charon Matthews when he had first started Acacia Academy at thirteen years old. 

Crowley enters the classroom for the highest branch of Acacia Delbata, the European Aspen. He is a bit late to come in, which causes the nine other students and Professor Charon Matthews to look over at him. He ignores them and goes over to a seat up at the front and sits down, directly in front of Charon. 

"You're late... you must be Isa-"

"I'd prefer that you didn't call me that. My name is Crowley, I just can't legally change it right now." He interrupts Charon as he leans forward, resting his chin on his hand. The students whisper softly as they see the disrespectful attitude of the young teen towards a member of the Five Elite and a member of one of the founding families of Artemia. 

"Hmm, well, Isaiah, you can kindly earn that privilege once you come to my class on time with a better attitude. I think that's fair." Charon says back in a calm tone, which makes Crowley frown a bit. He doesn't answer back, and so begins their tumultuous relationship. Crowley and Charon go off on each other during lessons or due to Crowley's lack of motivation. It takes about a month before Crowley finally gets to show off.

"Alright, it's time for combat practice. So, as per usual, our rule is to face your strongest opposition." The students groan as they all glance to Crowley. He sits a bit of a distance from the crowd. Not that he was really trying to make friends anymore once he got to Acacia Academy. His purpose is elsewhere, and he will find ways to fulfill his goal. He raises his hand, making Charon look at him.

"Listen, I think we both know I can take everyone here. So, I'd like to challenge you and show everyone that the Five Elite isn't so great." Crowley smirks as he stands up to look at the old man. He is in his early sixties at this point, so for the students present, it appears like an unfair fight.

"Cocky little one as usual. Very well, I'll humor you, Isaiah." The students all chatter in awe at what is about to happen. They have all seen how strong Crowley is and what amazing magic skills he possess without any form of magic tool to aid him. Now they all get to see how much an old man of the Five Elite can handle someone like him.

"Oh, once I win, you better start calling me Crowley. Isaiah Cyprus is the name the orphanage gave me. That is not who I am anymore."  Crowley watches Charon hand his clipboard to a student as they all move away to the safe spot to avoid getting struck by a stray magical attack even if this is just hand-to-hand combat. Crowley and Charon make their way to the center of the battlefield. 

"Very well, then let's begin this battle." Both of them begin to circle each other, watching for a reaction. In spite of Crowley's cocky attitude, he knows not to go into this fight underestimating the older man. Eventually, they go at each other at the same time. They appear evenly matched for a good while until Charon starts to overpower Crowley. He begins to show him and the other students just why he had been a member of the Five Elite for as long as he has. His age doesn't seem to be a hindrance to him.

"Whoa! Professor Matthews got him!" Someone voices out as Charon pins down Crowley on his stomach as he tries to free himself. His legs are wrapped around themselves in an uncomfortable position that make it hard for him to readjust. 

"You really have grown in your skills. Well done, Crowley." Charon lets go of Crowley, letting him get up and look at him. "You have earned my respect, and I have finally figured out what is best for Artemia in the coming years. I want you to take my place as a member of the Five Elite."

"Now he did it again and gave me an even more troublesome position!" Crowley thinks annoyed. He withstood a long speech by Imogen as she prepares to have Crowley and Chandler in these positions of power. Everyone is thrown off with the fact that someone outside of the founding families has been nominated.  

Crowley walks out of the courthouse and clicks his tongue, seeing that sunrise has come. He looks up ahead and sees Sean and his parents. His mother insists that they head out, and he continues to shake his head and pull away from her. They spot Crowley, and Sean slips past his parents as he makes his way over towards Crowley.

"Sean! Please come back! You need to rest, Lady Nichole said it was necessary for you to recover as soon as possible." His father calls out to his son. Their calls go on deaf ears as Sean meets up with Crowley at the bottom of the steps. Both of them are concerned that the young man will go off on him as he has never said anything positive about Crowley for as long as he has been at Acacia Academy. Now they realize that with Crowley's new position of power, he may not tolerate any disrespect from anyone.

"You alright?" Crowley questions Sean as he looks at the wrap around his head.

"I'll be fine. Lady Nikki helped me out. Though I couldn't sit still after all this news about Lady Caroline and Lord Charon came out. I have to help some -" Sean jumps a bit startled as Crowley puts a hand to the top of his head. His messy blue hair slips through the gaps on Crowley's fingers and begins to show his natural light brown hair.

"Stop, you need to recover first. You won't be any help to anyone if your concussion gets worse. I didn't think you'd let yourself get hit that hard." Crowley lowers his hand as Sean looks up at him with a torn expression. He wants to be of use, but he doesn't want to also be a burden with his current injury. "Go home. Your parents are worried sick, so take advantage and have them pamper you. Not many of us get that chance." 

His grey eyes lower to the ground before he looks back up at Crowley. "Okay... um, I'll be back to help out when I'm better. Congratulations on your new position." Sean watches Crowley grimace at the reminder. He smiles a bit before walking back over to his parents, who help him into their car. 

Crowley watches their car leave before he lets out a deep sigh. He suddenly feels so tired, but he knows what he has to do next. Especially since he's the only one who knows what happened to Caroline. He didn't act on the information because he didn't believe things would actually work out. A bit of guilt crosses through him at all of this. Even now, he has not said anything yet.

"Damn it all. I'm going to have to leave Diana on her own for a bit while I go get Caroline. How can I keep her safe while I'm gone without raising any suspicion?" Crowley crosses his arms as he starts heading out towards his home. His brow furrows more as he tries to figure things out. Everything is rapidly changing, and in this moment, he is not ready yet to have the truth exposed. Or now things will be easier for him because there is no one above him now. 

The obnoxious ringtone goes off again after finally having gone silent for a few hours since he answered the first time. He glances at the screen briefly before answering. "That time of the year? No, it's definitely earlier than usual. I'm busy, I can't come in any time soon." 

"I'm so sorry, but you know your annual check-ups are mandatory. Dr. Amory has been very strict about that schedule ever since you were a baby. Her daughter has been maintaining that strict schedule for her since her passing. You know what happened the last time you declined coming during your scheduled time." A man's voice comes through the line. Crowley shudders a bit and then composes himself.

"Fine, then right now is the best time. I don't know how busy I'll get later. Be there in a few." Crowley hangs up. He does manage to hear some sort of protest. It doesn't matter to him, so he changes direction and heads over to the Koa Acacia military building. In spite of it being a lab for scientists, he had always been brought here for his yearly physicals instead of the military hospital of Flowering Acacia. He has been told it's exclusive for someone of the Five Elite, but a part of him does not believe that.

From the courthouse, it takes him twenty minutes to walk towards the Koa Acacia military building. He is greeted by security officials stationed at the door, and they let him enter without much of a check. They already recognize him and know he comes and goes whenever he pleases.

"Oh please, I think we need to reschedule your appointment. I'm so sorry -"

"There's no one here. What do you mean reschedule? I'm busy with my studies and won't get another chance!" Diana argues with the receptionist. Crowley pauses and looks on at the argument in confusion. 

"Diana?" He questions, like he can't believe that he is seeing her right now. Diana looks over at who calls her.

"Professor Crowley?" The receptionist looks nervous between the pair. Like he expects something terrible to happen. He gulps and desperately pushes on a call button. 

"Is everything okay?" Crowley questions her, worried she may have had another incident like with Flat-Topped Acacia. Though, they can't exactly arrest her since they do not have that authority.

"Well, I'd like to know too. I'm here for my yearly checkup, and I had my appointment . Now, this man is saying that they need to reschedule after I made the long walk here!" Diana begins to get louder as she looks back at the receptionist. Diana's eyes narrow as she looks down at him. "Do you have any idea how long it takes to get here when all public transportation is shut down?!" 

Crowley clears his throat and turns away a bit as he tries not to laugh since he also does not want Diana's wrath directed at him. 

"It really is inconvenient." Crowley agrees once he calms down. 

"Oh... oh, Captain Amory! Um, I'm so sorry... I tried." The receptionist calls out as a woman in her mid-thirties walks out from behind a securely locked door. She sees what the urgency was as she finds Crowley and Diana together in the same room. Her tired gaze travels over towards the receptionist that ducks down a bit.

"Captain Amory, what is going on? Why is there a third year student here? Checkups are done in a clinic for normal people." Crowley questions suspiciously at the tired woman. She groans and pushes up her glasses, rubbing her eyes, her dark circles very prominent without the glasses.

"Hmm, yeah, well... my mother was her doctor since she was a baby, so now I'm taking over since she died. And well, your doctor ran into a bit of trouble, so I'll check you out too. Yep, come with me." Captain Amory yawns and makes her way towards a closet.

"Um, Captain... that's a closet." The receptionist calls out. Captain Amory stares at the small space before she nods and turns to the correct door. Diana and Crowley glance at each other and follow her. They both are concerned about their safety in the hands of this exhausted looking woman. 

"You've been coming here since you were a baby?" Crowley questions Diana quietly. Diana glances briefly at him before putting her attention back to the way she is walking.

"That's right. Dr. Amory had been my doctor all this time. What about you? What are you doing here?" Diana now wonders this since she has calmed down from the initial confrontation with the receptionist. Crowley becomes pensive but answers Diana's question.

"I'm also here for a checkup... I've been doing it as well since I was a baby." Crowley's answer slows down a bit as Captain Amory glances back at them with her tired gaze. He frowns, feeling suspicious of this. Captain Amory stops walking, and she points them into a room. 

"Here, you both know the drill. I'll have a privacy curtain put up." Captain Amory says nonchalant. Crowley looks at her in disbelief. Diana is the same as she turns bright red and wraps her arms around her chest even though she is fully clothed. 

"I think not!" Both of them firmly yell at her. Captain Amory can't help but smirk a little, but it doesn't reach her dull olive colored eyes. She shrugs and then points to another room. 

"Fine, one in there and the other in this room." They both nod in agreement and do that instead. Captain Amory waits in the hall as she gets a call. A big yawn escapes her as she answers. 

"Yes?"

"Why did I just get a call that KA-001 is there at the same time as KA-002?" Captain Amory hums a bit as she processes Vincent's question. 

"Well... KA-002 came in at her appointment time, and KA-001 came in unexpectedly. So, you wanna come over and check up on-"

"No, you do both their checks. Right now,  I'm with my sister-in-law and nieces. Update me on any major changes between the two of them. Things may be changing with the two of them together." Vincent mentions quietly more so to himself instead of her. 

"Right, bye then. I hope Lord Charon feels better." Her tone is monotonous and tired, so it's hard to hear any sincerity in her voice. They hang u,  and then Captain Amory decides to check in on Diana first. She knocks and then steps inside as she sits on the examination bed, wearing a hospital gown. She is playing with her fingers on her lap as she looks up at Captain Amory.

"Sorry for the wait. Don't worry, I've gone extensively over my mother's research, so I know all about your medical history, Diana. But since we are new to each other... my name is Suika Amory. You can call me Suika. Can you stand up so we can check your height and weight?" Her voice changes into the familiar tone that Diana knew from the previous Dr. Amory. She nods and stands up, following her to the scale.

"Um, I'm sorry about Dr. Amory." Diana mentions a bit awkwardly. She's unsure how to handle a situation like this and suddenly wishes she had kept her mouth shut. She spoke out before she could think better about it. Suika writes out Diana's numbers on her chart. She doesn't miss a beat.

"Thanks, alright, have a seat. I'm going to get some blood samples and a spinal tap at the end." Diana cringes at that. Those two are her least favorite parts. The other tests seem so much better in comparison. The spinal tap always leaves her having to go to bed fortwenty-fourr hours. "I know, it's not fun."

"Okay, I know I have to take it easy with that... but I can't really get back to Acacia Academy since public transportation has been shut down." Diana reminds Suika. She hums in response as she writes down Diana's information on the labels that will go on the test tubes with Diana's blood samples. 

"Then, we can open up a free roo,  and you can spend the night here and head back in the morning." Suika writes that out so there can be a room prepared by the time all testing is done. Diana doesn't argue but is not looking forward to staying at Koa Acacia. She wonders if Crowley will also be staying if he walked over as well. She didn't ask since there was so much going on.

"Okay..." 

Her physical check resumes before she is left alone for a bit as Suika goes to get the same information for Crowley.

"Suika, what kind of information is Koa Acacia looking to get out of us two? There's no point in hiding anything. I figured out a long time ago that I'm some sort of research study for you guys... I just didn't think you'd all involve Diana." Crowley lets her do her tests, and she continues them without a change in her expression.

"Why wouldn't she be? You were both together. It's been determined with our examinations that you're fraternal twins. You both came from outside of Artemia, and as newborns survived a trek in the ocean without a scratch or harmful effects from the weather. Our tests continue to show you both as human, and yet there doesn't seem to be any link to any family in the databases in and out of Artemia." Suika doesn't sound like she cares about keeping anything a secret. She seems to be an open book willing to respond to any of Crowley's questions.

"What's the problem? If we're human, what more do you need?" Crowley watches his blood flow into the final test tube. She puts a gauze over the puncture wound once the needle is out and has him put pressure on it by bending his elbow towards himself. 

"I don't need anything. I'm just doing my job and reading the research my mother left behind. Now, I'm curious, too... why do you two not seem to have any lineage from anyone among the human strong holds. It almost seems like you're the first of your lineage. That's interesting, but I'm also curious as to why that young lady... does she know you're siblings?" Suika changes the phrasing of her question.

"Nope." Crowley does not seem like he's going to elaborate further on his decision to keep his connection to Diana a secret. Suika finishes sticking on the labels on Crowley's tubes and puts them on a table. A small compartment opens, and a gloved hand pulls in the tubes.

"Okay, well, follow me. I'm going to get Diana, and then we can start the next phase of the tests. Maybe this time, we can actually see her true skill. According to my mother's notes, this girl purposely holds back. Like she doesn't want people to know what she really is capable of. I wonder if you know that?" Suika walks over to the door.

"So I've heard as a teacher. You all have been keeping such a close eye on the two of us, but you all seem to have very little information on us with everything else." Crowley walks up behind Suika. 

"Indeed, you're both very guarded." Suika opens the door and holds it open for Crowley. He follows her over as she goes to get Diana. She steps out, smiling a bit at Crowley. He returns the smile before they both go after Suika.

Diana looks at the walls on either side. There's not much on them besides some lights, numbers to doors, or warning signs to signal what kinds of chemicals are used in certain rooms. As they walk down the halls, the smell of the place is familiar. Koa Acacia is the only constant she's had ever since she can remember. Yet this place continues to make her stomach feel tight and make her nervous. With Crowley next to her, she feels something different.

Crowley looks down as Diana seems to unconsciously reach over to hold the tip of his index fingers in a tri-pod grasp. He looks over at her, but she seems to be looking at everything around her except at him or Suika. He doesn't do or say anything in order not to startle her or make her embarrassed. He can tell that she is becoming a bit anxious. He, too, is feeling that. This feeling had never made itself present in him before. Today, it's there with Diana beside him. Crowley wonders if this feeling will always come through him since he's been separated from Diana from their infancy. The anxiety is very prominent now that he has gotten closer to the sister he had only watched over from a distance since discovering her existence.

"Here we are. We'll continue your physical monitoring. We will start with your speed, strength, and then your magic output. Did you bring your wand, Diana?" The pair is startled from their own thoughts. Diana pulls away from Crowley as she reaches into the pant pocket of her medical gown. She holds out the wand that has not yet been extended to its full length.

"Great, this is new. You'll both be doing the tests, so maybe a little healthy competition is in order." The pair is unsure whether Suika is trying to make a joke or is serious. Her tone of voice is hard to comprehend, and her lack of facial expression doesn't help. 

"I don't like competition." Diana mutters softly before walking over to the treadmill. Crowley nods in agreement and goes to the one next to her. Suika prepares some monitors to keep an eye on their heart rate and other vitals. She hooks them up, making sure the wires don't get caught in anything or get in their way.

"Hmm, do you feel incapable of competing with a member of the Five Elite?" Suika takes some notes to chart these results for Diana and Crowley. She motions for the two of them to slowly start up their machine. They both press the quick start button and start off at a snail pace.

"Yep." Diana doesn't appear to want to elaborate on that. Again, Suika is amused by how similar some of their responses are. The studies on separated twins really live up to their results. Suika monitors their numbers, having them go up in speed in five minute intervals. She notices their differences in stamina. Crowley looks like he can keep going for longer and faster. Diana is starting to breathe a bit faster, yet their heart rate seems to be the exact same. Suika finds this as some sort of anomaly. She takes note of it.

The test ends at thirty minutes. Diana is completely out of breath and drenched in sweat. Crowley isn't as affected as Diana. He looks like he could have kept going for the full hour. 

"Wow, I look so lame, but why?! I mean, of course, Crowley is way stronger than me as a Five Elite member. I'm just grateful he isn't making fun of me. I've gotten a bit better since beginning my physical training in the Salix branch... but I'm nowhere near Crowley's level." Diana catches her breath as her mind wanders again. All these tests feel different doing them with someone else.

The rest of the tests go in just about the same way, with Crowley coming out with higher numbers than Diana. No one mentions anything about their vast differences. Now comes the magic output test. 

"Today, I have a new magic output tool," Suika looks directly at Diana. "This time, you won't be able to hold back your actual magic output." Diana pretends to look clueless. A part of her doesn't believe it is possible for such a thing to actually pull out all her magic potential. Crowley doesn't say anything, but he is fully aware that Diana does hold back. He assumes it's because she doesn't want to be involved in this war, and if she shows skills similar to his, then she would be appointed to Acacia Mearnsii without a doubt. Without needing to even take the Branching Exams.

Suika has them stand be fore two metallic orbs. "Use your wands and send a long stream of magic into this orb. It'll contain it and keep it from flying around." Crowley and Diana prepare their wands and stream out  magic towards the orb. Suika flips a switch, and the orbs start to hum. Both of them are startled by the machine that seems to suddenly and rapidly pull out a full blast of their magic. They both stopped at that moment.

"What was that?!" They both demand. Suika looks to the screens below the orbs and writes down the magic input. She doesn't immediately address their concerns. She is amazed that both of them maxed out the machine. 

"Oh, this pulled out one big burst of magic from you. You both seem to have large amounts of magic reserves, so that should have put a small dent. No worries, you'll be fine." Suika moves along as she shuts the machines down. Crowley and Diana look to each other in disbelief. Suika is completely throwing them off and is getting to the both of them. 

"Alright, then the last part has finally come. We will be going back to the examination room to get some spinal taps for both of you. I'm sure you both can stand being in the same room now for that. Follow me." The two of them sigh exasperated and then follow along back down the long hallway. 

                                                                           ~0~

"Here, we don't actually have many rooms available for staying overnight, so you'll have to share this room. I had two cots brought in for the both of you." Suika explains to the two of them who stare at the uncomfortable setting  after their spinal taps. Both of them still feel discomfort on their spine and want to lie down. They don't argue about sharing a room and just go to lie down.

"I'll let you know once twenty-four hours come to an end. Mmm, we'll get some food brought in for when you get hungry. We'll have lots of liquids brought in. Bathrooms are there. Lie down on your backs for about an hour. Alright, see you." Suika lets out one more big yawn before she walks out without much more explanation or consideration for the two of them.

"Are you okay, Diana?" Crowley mentions as the door closes. Diana groans slightly.

"Not one bit. I feel so tired. You?" Crowley also acknowledges that he feels exactly the same. They lie there in their own discomfort. The cots do not help.

"We've been doing so much that we didn't even get a chance to talk. Um, I was shocked to hear it, but congratulations on your promotion to a leader of Artemia." Diana slowly turns her head to look over at Crowley. She feels awkward talking to him as she looks up at the wall. Yet, that might feel like it's for the best, so she's comfortable.

"I'm not looking forward to this. That's gonna put more eyes on me, so it might cause a bit of my other endeavors to be watched even further. In fact, even this appointment has interrupted something important." Crowley says quietly. He wants to admit something to Diana but is worried that they'll be overheard. He's suspicious that they are being watched even now. Diana realized that would be the case when the whole of Artemia was informed of this decision.

"Then, it's a good thing you're not doing this all on your own. I'm here to help. I guess we're partners in crime now." Diana smiles up at the ceiling. She hears Crowley wince, but she's not very secure in turning her head again. She figures he tries to turn his head after what she said. "Sorry, that was weird to say."

"No, it's not. I-I'm happy. No, wait, maybe this is weird to say. It's not like that." Crowley says, and Diana can't help but want to laugh a little at his nervousness. She's never heard him sound like that before.

"It's not." Diana assures him. "I understand what you were trying to say. But I meant what I said. I want to help my friends do as well. We want the monsters to know that there are people still on their side. We've made a lot of plans to help show through action." The memory of the previous evening passes through her thoughts. She is eager to get to work and make sure that things stay safe on the inside, even if they're starting to get messy on the outside. Especially after this incident with Caroline Acacia and Charon Matthews.

"You... you sound like you found some great friends that you treasure." Crowley smiles as he hears that she's not alone. That she has support beyond him.

"Yeah, I do. It's the first time, actually... I didn't seek to befriend them. Instead, they just took me in, and it's like we've been friends forever. Kind of... I don't get along with one of them. We just tolerate each other. Especially since I don't want to be the cause of breaking up a long-established friend group." Diana starts to feel some relief at finally being able to tell someone about her disagreements with Mary. She feels like she can't really say anything to Dean, Lori, and Chelsea since she's their best friend. 

"That sucks... can I ask why? Or is it just because you're not compatible with each other?" 

"A bit of that..." Diana ends up blushing. "Also because we like the same guy. He likes me too, which is a problem for her. To be honest... we got into a fight about it... yesterday or the day before. Physically... and with magic. I'm actually in trouble and have to fix the Vachellia Nilotica second floor  since I took the blame." 

"That's uncalled for. I bet they started it. Why would you take the blame?" Crowley sounds offended for Diana. She feels happy that there is someone on her side. It helps take away the anger from the previous day the fight happened.

"Thanks, Crowley."

"For?"

"For being on my side. It makes me really happy." Diana clears her throat as she feels her voice wavering and her eyes getting a bit watery. She did not think she would start getting emotional. She stops talking so she can get control of her emotions.

"No matter what happens... I will always be on your side, Diana. You can always rely on me. I won't ever betray you." Crowley clenches his hands on his side. He hates that he has to say this to the ceiling. He clicks his tongue and slowly turns on his side. Diana seems to have the same thought and also turns to her side to face him. She smiles as she faces him.

Diana makes up her mind and reaches out her hand towards Crowley. He is surprised for only a moment before he, too, reaches back out to her. They are a bit of a distance away from each other, so they can only lock on to each other's fingers. 

The lights start to flicker in the room. Diana and Crowley's eyes widen as, from their own perspectives, they see each other's eyes glow a grayish-blue. Their own faces disappear, and they see a sad faced woman. Her skin is gray, and she has horns protruding from her forehead that appear longer than her own face, but they seem thin and lightweight. She has glowing grayish-blue eyes as she smiles kindly at them. She seems to speak out, but they can not hear her voice. Even reading her lips, they are unable to identify the language.

"What on earth?!" Suika takes cover as the two deactivated orbs shoot out magic that has not been used by humans in Artemia. The orb that Diana cast magic into shoots out black lightning, which Suika found cover on a rubber mat and summoned a barrier to protect herself. The orb Crowley sent his magic to starts to make the room darken. The lights are on, but they seem to be dimming with growing shadows.

Suika grabs her radio and asks that someone declare an emergency to keep everyone safe. She has a power team of scientists to get to Diana and Crowley and see what is happening with them. She suggests that they take magic blocking stones just in case they need them.

"For now, though... I gotta make this stop. But how?" Suika tries to think of a way she can stop the magic from seeping out of the orbs. She's not sure how far the reach of the magic is going in the building. Unfortunately, she can not get to any of the magic tools in the room as she has to protect herself from the raw magic coming out of the orbs.

Suddenly, it all just stops. She does end up waiting a bit to ensure that it doesn't start up again. The silence is disrupted by her radio going off. "Captain, we found the two patients. They don't seem out of the ordinary, but we still placed magic canceling stones on them. Actually, they seem disoriented and were half fallen from their cots." 

"I'm on my way." Suika breaks her barrier and runs over to the room where she put in Crowley and Diana. The two of them have been helped back on their cots and are given water to help them in some way. Everyone is trying to figure out what happened. Suika looks between the two of them. She feels like their sibling bond triggered something. Her lips twitch a bit as this was something she expected when she decided to bring the two of them together.

"Step out, everyone." Suika calls out. The scientists all look at her confused but do as she say as they help Diana and Crowley lie back down. She waits for the team to leave before she looks between the two siblings. 

"Well, now this is fascinating. Isn't it, Crowley?" Suika questions him. He glares at her as he slightly lifts his head up. Diana keeps her head on her cot, staring up at the ceiling. She is trying to recall where she could have seen that monster woman. She has never seen a species like her before. Nor has she read about a species that was even close to that woman. Yet, something about her made her feel warm and loved.

"What the hell happened?" Crowley questions her, thinking that maybe Suika had something to do with whatever happened.

"That is something I want to know, too. I figured this was something you two planned."

"Of course not. Ugh, my head hurts." Crowley drops his head back down on his cot. He tries to cast his gaze over at Diana, who is still quiet. "Diana?"

"My head hurts too." She responds softly. Suika hums to herself and goes to an empty drawer to grab some painkillers on top of it. She grabs a pill for each of them and hands them over, giving them another glass of water. They drink up and then lie back down.

"Try and get some rest." Suika suggest to them. Diana and Crowley make a tired sound of approval that blends in with each other. She dims the lights for them and steps out to leave the two of them to rest. She walks slowly at first and then runs over to her lab. She runs to her mother's research to read the notes.

"Amazing, this is what Vincent and mother were missing. They needed to bring these two together to bring in new magic into our forces. This is amazing, I haven't seen this kind of power in a human before. I have to look further. What am I missing? What can I find on them that can prove they are beyond human?!" Suika grabs her own notes and starts to write down what she saw happen. 

                                                                                  ~0~

"Sean, where are you going? It's late in the evening. I think you should still be resting!" Sean grabs a backpack as he finishes putting on his shoes. He looks back.

"I'm fine, dad. I feel better than I did yesterday. I'll be home soon. There is something I need to check on." He ignores his father's concern and steps out before they can continue arguing with each other. He ignores it when he calls out his name multiple times as Sean climbs on his scooter. He drives off after putting on his helmet, heading towards Crowley's place. 

"I'd better park a distance away." Sean finds some public parking near a business and parks it there in order to walk the rest of the way. He keeps to the shadows, putting his hood over his head as he makes his way to the plot of demolished looking land. Once he passes the threshold to the front door, he sees the actual house and then knocks on the door in the way that Crowley told him to do so when he comes.

The door opens a crack, and he sees Hannah's eye peek through. She lets out a breath and then closes the door to unlock it properly and let Sean enter. "Hi... I was afraid I'd been abandoned." 

"Is Crowley not here?" Sean questions as he looks around the quiet space.

"No, I haven't seen him since he left on the day he was bombarded with calls. What happened? It's not about Roard, is it?" Hannah questions him concerned. Sean shakes his head and motions Hannah to follow him to the living room. Hannah does so, and they sit down.

"I think your husband's escape has been pushed to the back of everyone's priority list. Actually, we have been super busy with everything because Lady Caroline Acacia has been kidnapped, and Lord Charon Matthews is in a coma in one of the military hospitals." Hannah gasps as Sean gives her the update. "Have you not been keeping up to date?"

"Honestly, I'm worried about sound traveling outside this place, so I don't really turn on anything, nor do I try to keep lights on. I guess I'm very paranoid." Hannah admits to Sean.

"I assure you that nothing can be seen beyond this threshold. Especially not without Crowley's permission. That's the only way this magical barrier and glamour can be passed through. But still, I can't believe he's left you here alone for almost two days. Though, I can't blame him. He, along with Headmaster Chandler Acacia, have been named defacto heads of Artemia while we hope Lord Charon wakes up and that Lady Caroline is found alive and well." That news causes even further shock into Hannah. 

"I know, even Crowley was left in total shock. No one expected someone outside of the founding families to ever be leaders of Artemia. Honestly, no one really questioned it before. It was just a given that this is the way it would be. Maybe someone like Crowley is what Artemia needs because it seems that the current leaders had forgotten what Artemia stood for. Well, I mean Lord Charon was still on the side of monsters, but was not outspoken or brought upon action to show it. Unlike Crowley... except all this time, he has been working in the shadows like when he helped you and your husband." Sean stares at his lap intensely. His gray eyes do not blink. 

"I agree with that sentiment. I had lost faith in Artemia, but I think now I have a bit more hope that things will be as the original founders had hoped for. Maybe even better." Hannah smiles to herself. Sean finally blinks back into reality and then smiles a bit. He nods his head, really beginning to see a new and better future for Artemia, but right now, there is one obstacle that must be overcome.

"However... right now, we have entered war officially. It is no longer a looming threat but a reality. Whichever of the species harmed Lord Charon and took Lady Caroline... it doesn't matter. The Three Generals are all as one to us, so we must defeat them and their armies. I really can't tell how this war will go when we face all of these species. We have no idea how large their armies are. But I think we have a fair shot with the Holy Weapons and their wielders." Sean says this more to comfort himself than to give Hannah faith and dispel her fear.

The two of them sit in silence for a while. Hannah eventually stands up and heads for the kitchen. Sean looks at her curiously and follows her over to the kitchen.

"Well, I guess for now, all I can do is keep on waiting for the promised day I can be reunited with Roard. I just didn't think things would happen like this. But I don't want to think about bad things, so I'm going to bake something to keep my mind off of things." Hannah pulls out a headband from her pocket and pushes back her short hair from her face. She rolls up her sleeves, washes her hands, and then starts to pull out ingredients. "Come on then, Sean."

"Oh, uh, I don't bake." He shakes his head as he keeps his distance. 

"Then you are going to learn today. Wash your hands." Her tone somehow makes it impossible for him to argue back. Sometimes, he has a hard time going against adults unless it's dealing with his team or those that rank below him. Hannah is none of those things, so he just does as she says. He mentally apologizes to his worried parents, who he told that he would be back sooner rather than later. Yet, he felt he needed to come out and check in on Hannah since he knows that things have been busy for everyone.

"Fine, but let's just hope that Crowley comes back soon. I wonder where he got to since leaving the courthouse?" Sean wonders as he finishes washing his hands and goes to help Hannah. 

"I think it's okay to take off those rings. I don't think you want to get them dirty or have them slip into our dough when it's done." Hannah reminds him. He looks at the silver rings on both his hands on various fingers. It makes him a bit nervous, but Hannah is an ordinary human, so he does so, setting them where he can keep an eye on them.

                                                               ~0~

Diana lets out a soft gasp as she wakes up. She winces as she moves around, stretching her back after sleeping on the cot. She looks around for her cellphone but can't find it. She squints in the darkness, seeing a vague silhouette of a large body across from her. It all comes back to her as she recalls staying in Koa Acacia and sharing a room with Crowley. 

She sits up and once again tries to find her cellphone. She tries to recall if she had her cell phone with her after coming here. Now, she tries to make her way off the cot as carefully and quietly as possible so she doesn't wake him. Diana also has to watch her step since she can't really see anything in the darkness, with only light coming from a gap under the door.

Her hands wander to find some support to stand up as she's worried the strength of her own legs will not hold her steady. She finds the bedside table that was used to place pitchers of water and the glasses used to keep them hydrated. Slowly, she pulls herself up, her knees buckling slightly, and she winces as the glasses start to move around from the shaking drawer. 

"Who's there?" Crowley questions in a sleepy tone as he sits up.

"Sorry... I tried to get up without waking you, but my legs failed me  when I did. I wanted to check on the time, but I can't find my phone." Diana says softly. Crowley relaxes as the events of yesterday return to mind. He searches his pocket where he had carried his in case of anything. 

"It's morning. It would normally be time for classes -"

"What?! I'm gonna be late! Ah!" In Diana's panic, she releases the table and starts to fall over. Crowley reaches out to grab her arm and keep her steady. 

"Careful, Diana! It was discussed yesterday by Chandler Acacia that normal classes will be put on hold. Acacia Delbata students will be sent home as they are still too young to participate officially in the war. Everyone from Acacia Mangium and up are going to be brought together to start discussing war tactics. Unfortunately... war is really coming now. The news was sent a few hours ago before classes started to all staff and students of Acacia Academy." Crowley shows Diana the message on his phone. She steadies herself and pulls back.

"Oh..." Crowley smiles a bit and then shines his flashlight around to find a light source. He spots the lamp overhead and points his finger to it. A flash light instantly strikes the bulb, and the room is lit up normally without the switch being flipped. Both of them squint their eyes as they now have to adjust to the bright atmosphere. Diana uses her arm to shade her eyes and is able to open them a bit more as she adjusts to the light and looks for her belongings.

"There they are." She makes her way over to her things towards the drawer across from them and sees their clothes folded and in the bags they put stuff in. Diana grabs their things, handing Crowley his bag when she walks back.

"Oh, thanks." Diana nods and looks at the open spot at Crowley's feet at the cot. He notices where she looks and moves back further to give space. "You can sit down."

Diana smiles gratefully and sits down, putting one of her legs on the cot, and the other remains on the floor as she faces towards Crowley. Then, she rummages through her bag to pull out her phone. There are many unread texts plus the student wide message sent by Chandler Acacia.

Crowley watches as Diana puts all her focus on her cellphone as she appears to be answering texts. She is much more responsible about this than he is. His cellphone is left with a lot of unanswered texts, voicemails, and emails. He answers things whenever he feels like it or if he deems it important. 

"Diana, I have to tell you something." Diana finishes answering a text and then looks up at Crowley curiously. His brow is furrowed in concern. "I know who took Caroline Acacia." 

Diana's phone bounces off the cot to the floor once it slips from her hands. She was not expecting such a confession from him. Diana is unsure what to say to that or how to react beyond shock.

"If this appointment hadn't come up, I would have gone yesterday to try and get her back. Trust me, if I didn't have to come here I would absolutely miss this appointment.  But that's not the point. Now that I'm better, that is what I'm going to do. I'm going to go rescue Caroline Acacia." Crowley continues on as Diana doesn't seem to have a response. She looks to the side, and that is when Crowley is able to pay attention to her eyes. 

"Diana, look at me..." Crowley says softly. Diana gulps and hesitates a little before looking at him. Her gray eyes seem to have brown specks on them that they didn't have before. They are the same kind of specks his own silver-blue eyes have. He is caught off guard by this. He wonders what the meaning of the change in Diana's eye color is.

"Why didn't you say anything when the panic first started?" Diana clenches her hands on her lap once she finds her voice.

"I don't know. I just didn't. But, I'm going to make this right. I didn't think when I overheard the plan that it would be successful."

"I'm sorry, did you know that Lady Caroline would be kidnapped before she was actually kidnapped?! Oh my gosh... it was the goblins and ghouls, wasn't it?!" Diana stands up as she stares at Crowley with continued disbelief. Crowley doesn't say anything but nods his head. He doesn't want to lie to Diana. 

"So, you could have stopped this before it happened! You could have stopped things from coming to the point that war was immanent?! I can't believe this right now! I know you can't stand Artemia as it is now, but I didn't think you would let something like this happen!" Diana quickly stoops down to snatch up her cellphone and grabs her bag, leaving Crowley where he is. 

"Diana! Diana, wait!" She doesn't stop as she leaves the room and makes her way out of Koa Acacia. Crowley curses and hits his fist on the cot in annoyance. He knew that his actions were wrong when he decided not to say anything, but he had hoped there would be some redemption when he decided he would go rescue Caroline. That was not the case, and he knew it was rational for Diana to be upset with him.

Diana walks past people who are concerned at seeing the young woman in a hospital gown seeming to have run away from a medical facility. No one really does anything to stop her, and Diana is not focused on the stares. She reaches for her phone to call Dean.

"Diana! Hey, how did your appointment go?"

"Dean, this is important. I need to see you right now. Please send me your address. It's probably best if we meet in person for this. Don't ask me questions right now, I will tell you everything in person!" 

"O-okay! I'll text you. Should I have my driver pick you up-"

"Just text me, please! I'll make my way there!" Diana insists before hanging up. She is still in disbelief of what Crowley just admitted to her. That things have escalated to this point because he didn't care enough to bring it up so that Caroline would be able to protect herself. He just let this happen. It suddenly feels like she can't trust him, and it breaks her heart. 

"I'm so stupid! I can't believe I trusted him! I wanted to believe in someone so bad, and I thought I found someone I could call a friend and confidant... Yet, here he's told me that the reason Dean is suffering now is because he didn't stop the kidnapping from happening. He's no better than the kidnappers! Dean was right to distrust him..." Diana looks at her phone as Dean's address comes through. She looks it up and finds the directions to get there from where she is at. On foot, she is twenty minutes away. She forces herself to run to try and shorten the time and distance. Also, to do something about the tears that well up in her eyes and run down her cheeks.

Dean looks at the cellphone in concern. He tucks it away and hides it again before making his way out of his room. 

"Oh my!" 

"Sorry, mom!" Dean nearly bumps into his mother as she walks by his room. 

"What is the rush, young man?! Just because you have no classes doesn't mean you can go off and do whatever. We are entering a dangerous time now." Rosemary taps her red polished nail on her lower lip, staining the tip of her finger and the underside of her long nail with red lipstick. Dean frowns a bit in concern.

"I'm not going anywhere. Actually, Diana is coming over. She said it was urgent, so I sent her the address and well I wanted to meet her at the entrance at least with my bike so she didn't have to walk all the way up to the manor." Dean admits to his mother.

"Oh! Oh my goodness! Why didn't you say so?! We need to prepare things for our guest!" 

"Uh, I don't think we have time for -"

"Hush, boy! Mother and the maids have things to do!" Rosemary rushes off, talking to herself of what she should prepare as Diana is coming. Dean doesn't think she will be too concerned about the presentation of the home. He goes back to what he was doing: heading for the stairs to get his bike and meet Diana at the entrance of his family property.

"Public transportation is shut down, so it could be a while before Diana gets up this far. Well, I guess I'll just sit and wait. No big deal." Dean waits on his bike about fifteen minutes before he spots Diana running up towards him. His stunned to see her in a medical gown. 

"Diana?! Are you okay?! Did you run away from a hospi-" Diana runs into his arms and hugs him tightly. Dean's concern grows as he holds the woman that cries and is also trying to catch her breath.

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry, Dean. You were right! Oh gosh, you were right!" Dean pulls back to look at Diana's sad expression. Tears and sweat run down her cheeks and face, respectively. He's not sure if her cheeks are flushed from the crying or the running.

"What do you mean?! Diana, you're scaring me!" Dean holds her face gently, trying to get her to breathe. Diana takes a few deep breaths before gripping his shirt with shaking hands.

"Dean, your Aunt Caroline was taken by the goblins and ghouls. Crowley knew before it happened and didn't stop it. He said he would go after her now, but... but he could have stopped this. He could have stopped that and from Artemia accepting that war has to happen now because of this! I'm so sorry, Dean! I wanted to so badly to trust him, and because of that-" Dean hugs Diana tightly as she starts to sob again. He, too, is stunned by the news as much as she was when Crowley admitted it to her.

"Don't apologize! None of this is your fault! It's okay wanting to trust someone! It's always a risk when putting your faith in someone, but let's not think about that. Crowley is the one at fault here! We have to report this to my father! Come on!" Dean grabs Diana's hand and pulls her to his bike. She uses her other hand to hold him back.

"No, Dean! If we did that... Crowley could get into some serious trouble. I know what he did is wrong... but I can't help... I worry about him. I don't know why I feel this way towards him... but I don't want anything bad to happen to happen. I think we all know that without him, Artemia would be doomed to fall. I'm sorry for springing this on you and also expecting you to keep this a secret! Please, Dean!" Diana pleads with him. Dean looks at her with a conflicted expression.

"Diana... you said he was going to go find my aunt. Take me to him then! I want to talk to him!" Dean puts his other hand over the two hands Dean has on his one hand. Diana looks at him surprised and then realizes that it is reckless for even Crowley to go off on his own to try and rescue Caroline.

"Okay, I'll take you to his place. Um... though this is a questionable outfit and will cause a lot of questions. Please cover me while I put my normal clothes back on behind those trees!" Dean is startled but realizes that people will think Diana is a runaway patient. He nods his head and goes to watch for any incoming vehicles or people as Diana rushes to get changed.

"I'm ready now!" They go back to Dean's bike, and Diana rides on the bars on the back wheel. Dean follows Diana's lead towards Crowley's home.

"Eh? Are you sure about this, Diana? That's the abandoned torn down building." Dean looks at the plot of land that is overtaken by nature with some parts of the broken down structure still remaining up. 

"Yes, trust me. This is Crowley's place." Diana hops off the bike just before Dean comes to a complete stop. Dean pushes down the kickstand with his foot. He is trying to comprehend how Crowley could be here. Dean watches Diana climb up a broken step before disappearing from his sight.

"Diana?!" Dean rushes over and only ends up in the rubble. He looks around confused, calling out to Diana.

"Dean? Dean!" Diana climbs back down, reappearing before his very eyes. He is confused and walks back out of the rubble towards her.

"What was that?! You just disappeared on me!" Dean looks at the land confused.

"Damn, I guess you must need Crowley's permission to enter his property. Leave it to me..." Diana grabs her phone and looks through her contacts. She gulps, feeling nervous about calling Crowley after what happened. Yet, this is why she's here now. She is here to confront him again with Dean at her side. She makes up her mind and makes the call. Diana wonders if he would even answer her call.

"Diana! Listen, I'm - "

"I'm at your place. Are you home?" Diana interrupts him, not really wanting to hear whatever excuses he has.

"I'm on my way."

Diana hangs up as he says this and looks back at Dean. "He's on his way. Looks like he was doing his own thing. I hung up, so I don't know how long it'll take him." Dean points behind her, and they see him running up.

Crowley slows down as he sees Dean there with Diana. He figures that she told him everything. He glares at Crowley as the distance between them all closes. "Diana told me what you did. Because of you, my aunt is suffering! I want to punch you so bad, but Diana said you plan to go and rescue her. I want to go with you!" 

Diana turns to look at Dean. Somehow, she expected this to happen but is still shocked that Dean actually said it. Diana clenches her hands and then looks to Crowley as he looks at him with a frown of disbelief.

"You owe him that much. In fact, I want to go too."

"Diana, no!" Both Crowley and Dean say to her. She doesn't back down.

"Yes, I'm going. I can help, too. Dean, I want to help you." Diana makes him look at her. He stares into her determined eyes, also being thrown off by the brown specks he had never seen before. He becomes confused but isn't sure if he should bring it up. Crowley curses to himself, knowing that Diana will stubbornly come after them. It's better he knows where she is than having her blindly run into danger. 

"Diana, this sounds dangerous -"

"Yet the only son of the Acacia family plans to go. I'm going." Diana interrupts Dean sternly. He sees her determination. His arguing feels futile because he himself has time and time again argued his way to make things happen. Be that going to Acacia Academy or barging into the life of a lonely introvert who just wanted to be left alone and ended up becoming her friend instead.

"Alright... We can't tell Chelsea, Mary, and Lori. Yet, I don't know if the power of three humans will be enough. But we don't have a monster friend that is readily available to help..." Dean pauses and looks to Diana as they both seem to get the same idea.

"Now hold on! I haven't said that you're going nor that we are inviting anyone else. A big group could be troublesome -"

"I wasn't asking your permission! You owe me big for not reporting this!" Diana reminds him. Crowley closes his mouth and clicks his tongue. He has no argument to make without exposing even more secrets. Especially the secret he holds of their familial bond.

"Fine, who are you calling?" Crowley questions her.

"I want to open her eyes more to the fight for justice and protection of this land. Of the continued co-existence between humans and monsters. I'm calling Officer Kiara Pancheri." Diana shows them the contact she pulled up as she was talking and dials the woman's number. She hopes she will be available to talk.

"Hello?"

"Officer Pancheri, this is Diana Green. I need to speak with you about something urgent. Can we meet right now, please?" 

"Yes, of course we can."