The word nightmare is a combination of the words night and mare. A mare, in old English, was a mythological demon. Thus, a nightmare was a demon of the night. The night, however, for most of Maria's life in the Tower was a beautiful sight. Tonight was different. Maria was laying on her bed wide awake as lightning struck outside, a thunderstorm, the wind hitting everything in its path like a wild beast in a frenzy. A frightful sight. And then, much to Maria's dismay, a knock on the front door. Luckily, or not, Maria slept with open doors in a room close to the front entrance so the sound was not left unheard.

Still, it was the middle of the night and no one in their right mind would come at a Zahad Princess' place at such an hour. That, however, did not stop Maria from making her way outside. Only when her hand was at the handle of the door did she remember of her weapons still laying on her room leaving her unprotected against an intruder. With a curse, she opened the door, praying that she wouldn't see a murderer who, in case he didn't kill her, would be the reason why Maschenny would murder her later on.

The door opened. Another lightning bolt. Aguero stood breathless and tired. Maria ushered him inside. The night raged on.

(What had he lost?)

.

Khun Maschenny Zahad was a light sleeper with many weird habits. This was the reason why she usually slept only a few hours and why on days like these she didn't get any sleep to begin with. Of course, the ordeal had its perks. When you're a light sleeper, or no sleeper, one couldn't easily sneak up on you which helped both in her life as an important member of the Empire (assassins) and as a sister (of assassins).

So, when Maria, because who else would be that light on their feet while also managing to knock about every piece of furniture in the hall, reached Maschenny's door, the other girl was already up. Maria came inside quietly but before she had time to look at Maschenny's bed the other girl had already snuck up behind her, Yellow May in hand.

"It's me."

"I know."

"Then why did you summon Yellow May?"

"I've told you to knock before entering."

"You were sleeping." Maria tried to reason as she turned around, slightly more relaxed but still refusing to make any sudden movements. "Knocking wouldn't be an option."

Maschenny ignored her and lowered her weapon. "Why the midnight visit?"

"I came to ask for a favor."

In the time Maschenny and Maria worked together, the first one had learned quite a few things. Not only because Maschenny was, undeniably, good at evaluating those around her but also because Maria, herself, was an open book that offered her secrets like smiles. A naïve, as naïve Khuns came, young Princess suffering from people pleaser syndrome. Maschenny still wasn't sure how she had managed to get this far. It was this nature that stopped her from asking for things, even when missions were involved, Maria never asked for anything, more of an obedient pet than an associate. Maschenny didn't mind, an uncarved mold was better than a strong headed Princess. A favor though—

"What favor?"

"Someone I know needs a place to stay." Maria said, "It won't be for too long."

"Well—"

"I promise he won't be a bother!"

"He?" Maschenny asked slightly curious "Who exactly is that friend of yours?"

"I'll tell you after you've agreed."

Maschenny couldn't help but smirk. A childlike attempt at being cunning. Maschenny shrugged, she'd give her sister some entertainment. "Fine. He can stay."

Maria relaxed and let out a sigh. "It's our brother."

"That doesn't narrow it down, sister dear."

Maschenny knew about, more or less, forty-nine Khun men but she was certain there were much more. Since she couldn't memorize the entire Khun family tree, she doubted anyone could, she had taken some time to learn names that mattered. Luckily, there weren't a lot compared to the entire of Khun Eduan's army of offspring.

"Aguero."

Ah. That explained the slyness.

"Absolutely not." Maschenny told her "We're not housing an abandoned son."

"I'm the reason he was abandoned!"

"Then send him a thank you note if you're that desperate."

"You know, when Zahad made this place, he gave it to both of us."—Maschenny opened her mouth—"So, if something, I don't need your permission."

"Then why did you ask for it?"

"As a sign of good will."

"Well, you chose the wrong Khun."

"Maybe."—Maria opened the door—"Either way, regardless of what you want, I'm helping my brother."

Maschenny sighed, maybe she should have chosen a younger Princess as her partner after all. Someone more obedient, preferably an orphan. With these thoughts in her mind, despite the storm outside, Maschenny went back to sleep.

Khun Aguero Agnis was a problem for tomorrow.

.

Maschenny had never been properly introduced to Khun Aguero Agnis. She was certain he used to attend the annual Khun gatherings, probably being quiet in a corner like her own biological brother, and she remembered meeting his sister. She remembered not liking her. Then again, Maschenny didn't especially like any of her family members. Her knowledge of the boy, though, did not stop there. As an abandoned son, the name had caused quite the stir. To top it all, rumor had it that before leaving the boy had broken into Eduan's treasury and although it was merely a rumor Maschenny had been impressed. She wasn't that impressed when she actually saw the boy.

"Maschenny." Maria got up as she greeted her, signaling Aguero to do the same. "Breakfast?"

Maschenny didn't answer and instead found herself analyzing the newcomer from head to toe. The Khun characteristics were visibly normal—the right shade of blue hair, not like Asensio's navy blue or Maria's sapphire tips, and equally blue eyes—and he even had an expression similar to Eduan's. Maschenny didn't know what to make of it. If the boy was anything like her father, he was bound to cause trouble.

"Maschenny Zahad." Maschenny told Aguero without breaking eye contact "But I would assume you already knew who I am."

"Of course. Your reputation precedes you."

Maschenny smiled satisfied. She motioned for them to sit. Maria's slumped down slightly, probably revealed that the first meet between Maschenny and Aguero was over.

"So, Khun Aguero Agnis,"—Maschenny grabbed a yogurt cup—"why did we say you're here?"

"We didn't say."

"Ah, I knew we were forgetting something." Maschenny smiled. Aguero smiled back. Maria began putting the knifes from the table underneath some napkins.

"There was a problem with my previous accommodations. I needed a place to stay for a while and Maria kindly invited me here."

"What kind of problem?"

"I got, in a way, fired." Maschenny glanced at Maria who anxiously tapped her index finger against the table.

"And where did you work?"

"Maschenny." Maria said sternly.

"What? I'm just curious. Most kids in the family aren't really hard working, they don't need it."

"It's fine." Aguero reassured Maria before turning to Maschenny with a grin like a Cheshire cat "I worked with FUG."

Maria dropped her fork. Maschenny opened her mouth slightly. Aguero took a bite from his toast.

"The notorious FUG?"

"The one and only."

Maschenny turned to Maria. "Any comment?"

"He doesn't work with them anymore!" Maria said with exasperation "I can vouch for him."

Maschenny shushed the other girl and turned her focus back on Aguero. She made a mental note to gather everything she could find on the Khun boy. With all the attacks of FUG in the past three years, having one of them approach two Princesses could not be a coincidence. To be sure, she could and should kill him. It wouldn't be hard. Two moves. Maybe three since Maria was also there.

On the other hand, there were more fun ways to deal with the situation. Maybe this could work out in her advance.

"So, I see we work, or worked, for opposite sides and yet, here we are now." Maschenny smiled "What a lovely family we make."

.

There are many interesting things about Aguero Agnis, Maschenny finds out, and at the same time there is nothing crucial. Then again, if he was truly working with FUG, such stuff would remain hidden. And so, Maschenny found many pages in the book of Aguero, none of them impressive enough to explain his relation to FUG.

Three days later, Maschenny finds him in the balcony staring at the night sky. Maria wasn't with him, a weird fact since she was practically glued on his hip in fear of leaving him alone with Maschenny.

"You know, the most interesting thing about you is that you stole from Khun Eduan." Maschenny starts as she walks up to him "And that's a rumor."

Aguero turned to look at her, a slight bored expression plastered on his face. He sighed and tucked his hair behind his ears. Maschenny looked at his ears and grinned. "Not a rumor anymore."

"Now we're going somewhere! I knew I should expect more from the guy who manipulated his own family." She grinned "After all, you had enough skills to drive your sister to suicide."

Aguero doesn't seem to react, much to Maschenny's annoyance. Apparently, she couldn't count on him letting his emotions control him. A shame.

"You know you have a habit of taking contradictory actions."

"Is this a therapy session?"

Maschenny ignored him. "You get kicked out of the family, you climb the Tower. You climb the Tower, you help an Irregular."—Aguero looked at her with eyes wider than before, the most reaction she had gotten of him since he had arrived—"On one hand you're trying to lay low, maybe even regain some of your prestige and then you go and do the worst possible thing. Same with coming to live with two Princesses of Zahad after leaving FUG. I don't know if you're an idiot or just have a death wish."

Aguero shook his head, putting on the same smile he had when he had told Maschenny about FUG. "Your brother says it's the first one."

"My brother?" Maschenny questioned catching herself actually surprised. He couldn't mean Ran. Maschenny hadn't seen him in years but she doubted he would have crossed paths with Aguero.

"Ran." Aguero tells her and turns his back on her making his way back to his room. Maschenny stays in her place, her mind racing. "It's a third option by the way." Aguero doesn't turn as he speaks but he still stops at his tracks. "I'm curious." And with that he leaves.

Maschenny turns at the shinsu sky, her usual smile—always worn like an armor, always a reaction—faltering. "Me too."

.

Almost a month after Aguero's arrival, Maria finds herself at the market. The second time she had left Aguero and Maschenny alone together and, if she was being honest, it was the first time she wasn't worried of them killing each other. Maschenny's attitude towards Aguero was, thankfully, all bark and no bite and Aguero, despite him being open about FUG, was pretty respectful towards Maschenny. Maria imagined that, if she had biological siblings, this is what it would feel like; fear over them murdering each other and yet a familiar sense of home.

Caught up in her thoughts, Maria didn't notice someone in front of her, making her accidentally bump into them sending both of them on the ground. "Terribly sorr—"she stopped herself after watching what she had hit "Mr. Crocodile?"

The Crocodile, a small crocodile but a crocodile for sure, scoffed before looking at her. As soon as he saw her, his eyes widened in confusion. "Crazy Blue Turtle?"

How cute, he's a talking crocodile, Maria thought and smiled completely ignoring the turtle comment.

"Rak! Hurry up!" someone shouted and the creature got up and began running. Maria, out of instinct, looked towards where the crocodile was running.

(She saw golden.)

.

Meanwhile, elsewhere, two Khuns stand by a table diametrically opposed.

"You could be lying."

"I could."

"There are many reasons why you would."

"There are." Aguero told Maschenny "You don't have to listen to me, but I ought to tell you since you've offered me a place to stay."

"Maria offered."

"Yes, but Maria would also stupidly go to face FUG all by herself."

"And you think I won't?"

"I think you have more shots."

.

Maschenny listens to Aguero and wrecks one of FUG's missions. There are a few casualties. Maschenny doesn't stop them, per se, since White—one of the most powerful FUG Slayers—appears but she isn't left empty handed. That's because, except from the Slayer and some rookies, some more key players make an appearance.

Maschenny goes back home bruised and beaten down. For she's powerful but she can't take down three—and a half—Zahad Princesses.

.

"Garam?" Maria asked shocked "She's helping FUG?"

"I'm not sure, but she was there." Maschenny told her "Along Yuri, which isn't surprising. That other one, let me think, she was the one Anaak was mothering, ah yes, Endorsi."

Maria freezes at the mention of Endorsi. Maschenny can see her thinking. At the same time, with a different process, the two Princesses make a conclusion. Maschenny shakes her head once. "There was one more person."

"Don't tell me it was another Princess."

"Close."—Maschenny clicked her tongue—"Anaak's bastard."

.

The moment Maschenny's feeling better, she calls both Maria and Aguero to have dinner with her. Aguero is polite, making small talk and asking about her injuries while Maria tries to avoid the topic of FUG. At some point, Maschenny sits up straighter and turns to Aguero's side. "So, you were right about what you told me."

"Good to know."

"You didn't mention Yuri though."

"She doesn't go into battle. Must have been an important job."

Maschenny nods. "Funny how they send one of their best slayers and three Princesses for this but when they had to break into a Zahad residence, they only sent you, a single Princess and two, if I'm not mistaken, other people."—both Aguero and Maria look at her and then at each other—"What? You thought we were past that?"