The girl run towards him, screaming his name... She was soaking wet from the pouring rain, barefoot with bloodied legs and arms... She was holding something round in her hands, covered with a dirty towel... Something that looked suspiciously like a baby....

"Martha, what are you doing here? We thought you were dead... I thought you were gone..."

"Bernard, I am sorry... I had nowhere else to go... Please help me... He wants her, for his stupid game.... I don't want to lose my baby, please...."

The girl who was now a woman and a mother fell into his arms, exhausted from all the struggle and tears. Bernard held her tight, and once a few minutes had passed and he felt courageous enough to do so, lifted the blanket and looked straight at the baby's face.

She was sleeping peaceful in her mother's arms, not being distracted by the rain or cold. Her face was one of a human baby, with red cheeks and a cute little nose. Then she yawned and opened up her big violet eyes, staring at him solemnly. It was love at first sight, the moment Bernard met his precious daughter.

"No one is taking her away, Martha. That I promise you."

Right at this second, a lighting tore the sky apart. The sunset was painted red and a thick cloud of black smoke appeared right in front of them. A sinister laughter was heard and the Devil attacked them mercilessly, stealing the small baby from her mother's arms, taking his daughter away and laughing... laughing...

Bernard Londor jerked in his sleep and let out a deep breath. It was just another one of his dreams, a memory in fact. The details all matched the event that had taken place twenty years ago, right at his very doorstep. The only inconsistent detail was the Devil abducting his daughter. Bernard had managed to defeat Lucifer that very day, unleashing every piece of protective magic he knew, and feeling victorious about the aftermath.

Bernard didn't feel victorious at that cool autumn night. He felt a looser and a fool. And his daughter was now far away and gone. Destined to die for Devil's pleasure.

"Bad dreams again?"

His wife's warm hands were already around his torso, as she glued her body to his.

"I am worried honey, that's all. About Hailee."

"Baby, Hailee is going to be fine. I would be worried about her enemies, if I were you."

"But what if someone finds out the truth about her, Sheila? Or her identity? I know they are not allowed to kill her before the Tournament, but there are so many psychos out there..."

"Bernard, she has a concealment charm. Your concealment charm, and you are the best mage in the west. No scratch that, the most powerful mage in whole Trudeaux. Even Brand's elders respect you and seek your advice. No one is going to realise who she is."

"But what if she has to use her abilities? That way..."

"Bernard. Worrying is not going to help her. Or you for that matter. You forget this nightmare now, and call her first thing in the morning. When you make sure she is alive and kicking, you are going to loudly admit how much of a fool you really are. Deal?"

He couldn't help but smile as he turned to face his wife's sweet face. Sheila was the reason he had found his lost hope again, after Martha's horrible death. She, Hailee and the boys were all he had left. Other than his kick-ass mage tricks, that is.

He kissed him sweetly and fondled his cheek. "Let's get a little more sleep before those monsters of ours wake up, demanding full attention."

***

The Tournament's ABSOLUTE rules:

1. Collect the four cornerstones of Trudeaux (Collecting order is irrelevant.)

2. Be sure the cornerstone has your class' initial. Failure to recognise the right cornerstone will lead to your disqualification.

3. Do not drug civilians in your pilgrimage. Any notice of your presence and purpose, as well as any criminal record of your activities, will lead to your disqualification.

4. It is STRICTLY forbidden to kill another class member BEFORE the Tournament. Any killings that trace back to a certain member or class will lead to your IMMEDIATE execution.

5. Have fun! Remember, the Tournament for absolute control over Trudeaux happens once in 50 years and there is only one winner, but that doesn't mean you are not allowed to enjoy the ride.

Hailee read the rules on her little notebook over and over again, and was now sure they were written by some asshole Elder in Brand Metropolis, one with a twisted sense of humour in fact.

Have fun my ass.

It was the third rule however, that perplexed Hailee.

You are not allowed to drug civilians into your fights. The end.

She shook her head, truly confused. She couldn't find a single reason for the Vamp's attack against the girl inside a crowded train. In the middle of daylight in that fact.

There is something I am missing.

Her head turned from her notebook to Nattie, sleeping peacefully in their double bed. They had taken up two rooms in the town's less crowded inn, with the girl going to sleep as soon as her head touched the pillow. Hailee was also really tired, but wouldn't allow herself to sleep. Not yet.

She got up from her sit and searched her bag, as silently as she could. She took the northern-eastern cornerstone out of her bag and looked at it, being once again amazed by her beauty. The stone was round and smooth, with a purple undertone. The circle with its two extended lines on top was Hailee's symbol. A devil and his horns, how appropriate.

Her father had taught her how, in the very first Tournament, there were no special symbols on the cornerstones, resulting in the contestants stealing and ultimately killing each other over them. It was Lucifer's very first victory, granting him fifty years of control over Trudeaux.

Things had taken a better turn after the first Tournament, but there was always something that remained unchanged. The Devil's desire for victory.

Hailee shook her head and let the cornerstone fall back in her bag, as she heard Nattie stirring at her sleep. There were still a few things to take care of, before she was able to continue her journey. And she was ready to deal with them now.

***

"So... Is this a date?"

"Do you want it to be?"

Theo laughed and put his hand in his pocket, taking out a battered pack of cigarettes.

"You are not exactly my type, girl, sorry."

He lit out a cigarette, and exhaled a thick layer of grey smoke.

"You smoke?"

Hailee's tone was questioning, but she wasn't really surprised. The classic image of an Angel as presented in the books was destroyed after spending a full day with Theo.

"Only when no-one is around."

"Thanks. What are you anyway, some kind of rebel Angel?"

"No. But if I ever have a band, I'll definitely give them that name. Very catchy."

They had been sitting side by side for a while now, in a small cliff-side overlooking the town. Lindor was neither a particularly big town nor the most advanced. The majority of its houses were classic two-story wooden ones and its roads were a mix of dirt and stone pavements.

Since it was the major connecting point of the west region however, Lindor was the proud owner of a magnificent train station. The building was one of considerable size, almost as enormous as the rest of the city, with white marble walls and pillars, sturdy metal train platforms and an array of shops and stores. It was the town's breath and life, with visitors arriving from every corner of Trudeaux. Hailee could see its bright lights right from her sit on the hill, nicely outlined in the dark of the evening.

"It's beautiful isn't it? Such a small and dirty town, with such a busy life..."

"Hailee, did you bring me here to talk about trains?"

"I like trains."

She smiled and Theo sighted.

"But no, I didn't bring you here to talk about trains or Lindor. No-one knows Nattie. No-one. And we have a task to accomplish, other than running around with a mysterious child."

There was no reason hiding behind their fingers anymore. They were both on their way to the Tournament. And the girl was a liability.

The three had spent their whole day searching every nook and cranny of this town. Every single house, every single inn, every fucking corner. No sign of Nattie's parents or caretakers. Or anyone who even recognised her, for the fact. No missing posters on the station's walls, no missing child alarm on the police department. Nothing.

But the weirdest thing of all was, Nattie was oblivious to the whole searching operation. She always looked absent-mindedly around, playing with either her backpack or her freakish Teddy, ready to jump into Theo's or Hailee's lap, calling them Mommie and Daddie more often than not. Being really happy that she was with them, the whole attack against her forgotten.

"We are not going to be able to look after her, Theo. We are not her parents, we are two people on a mission. And she already starting to get too attached. We took her in so she wouldn't rat us out to the guards. I admit I have a soft spot for kids, I have brothers around Nattie's age, but I mostly had to play by the rules..."

"Exposure or criminal records result in immediate disqualification."

"But she is not going to talk. There is a police station and a good social network in Lindor. We leave Nattie there, and then be on our way. It's heartless and cruel, but hey, I am already a bad guy. It's not like I am trying to save the world."

"More likely destroy it in the process."

My thoughts exactly.

Theo exhaled the last puff of his cigarette and put it out on the mushy, wet ground.

"I hate to admit it, but you are right. I also pitied her when those Vamps attacked, but there is definitely something off about her. I have a friend on the town's orphanage. It's been a while since I've seen her, but I have her phone number. We leave the girl at her hands then be on our way."

It was weird how Hailee's feelings were closer to sadness than relief at Theo's sentence. They had only been together for a day, searching for clues in the town, eating in the small restaurant, going shopping for new clean clothes. Despite his puny remarks and Hailee's edgy comments, despite the differences of their classes, they'd had a good time.

When was the last time I even had fun?

Hailee used to be a friendlier, happier person. The last year she had been forced to withdraw from her friends and loved ones, in order to train for her ultimate mission. Being stuck on her goal, Hailee had forgotten how good human contact actually felt. Even if the guy sitting next to her wasn't even human, even if he was her enemy.

"I am certainly going to miss you, though. Seeing you trolling that guy next to our table along with Nattie was priceless."

Hailee chuckled, as Theo's words reflected her thoughts once again in this long day.

Yeah. It would be a nice memory for the lonely journey ahead.

***

Hailee opened up her room's door, Theo's words in her mind.

"Try not to alarm her. Just hug her and spend the night with her, like a sister would do. I'll try and find my contact tonight and by tomorrow we'll be done. And on our way we go."

She stepped inside the room, determined to do her best not to look guilty.

Maybe I'll see you again someday, Theo. Without our classes dividing us.

Her eyes fell on the bed, and her heart skipped a beat.The double bed was empty. The small backpack was missing, and so was the hideous teddy. And the room's window was wide open.

She's gone. Nattie is gone. We're screwed.