[Cafè de Alphonse, King Frankia's Square, Monoceros Keep, 28th of Before Witching, 426 11:29 AM]

A Rogacian woman in her late twenties with short blue locks was wearing a long sleeved sulfur blue blouse, a long dark green checkered skirt, and a pair of high-heeled boots. She was sitting with her two legs and feet together when she kept interviewing the cafè owner which she was writing his responses into her notebook and listening to his testimony. It had something to do with the Candlemas incident. The middle aged man was recalling and explaining of what happened.

" Mademoiselle, there were trenchcoated Northerners who arrived at the scene and responsible for that explosion, " he continued. " I saw the one who shot the vice president and the president. It was a woman who stood at the other building and held a rifle. "

" Did you see anyone else at the incident who was with this woman? " Gabriela asked and wrote the information down on her notepad.

" Like I said, there were trenchcoated Northerners who transformed as werewolves in broad daylight. Along with them, I saw an Eseran phooka and a Chergarian Leanan Sidhe as their accomplices, " he answered.

" Werewolves that can transform without a full moon? How is that even possible? " Gabriela asked in disbelief at what the man said.

" I don't know, mademoiselle. It's very strange to see them attacking the innocents three days ago. I have never seen anything like it. Whatever they are, I'm pretty sure that some people in authority will capture them. "

Gabriela sighed and managed to smile, eventhough she was too baffled and curious about those terrorists. She was unaware that someone was spying on her from a distance.

Gabriela nodded at the middle aged man, " Gracias (Thank you). Be safe on your way home. "

" You're welcome. You can come here anytime, mademoiselle Herrera, " he smiled back.

After the interview from one of the witnesses, she was about to go and see her colleague and friend, Neil. Suddenly, a long greyish-white haired Chergarian woman dressed in black clothes, dark sunglasses, and a trenchcoat and tailed you while walking. Gabriela looked from behind and became uneasy to see her. She had gone brisk walking towards the crowd and into the streets.

The woman in black evilly smirked and continued following her. She was able to hasten her walk and instantly grabbing the Rogacian journalist from behind. She wasn't able to resist from her arms.

" You can never escape from me, fraulein," she lowly spoke, threatening and bringing her to the alleyway. " One damn move, I will shoot you. "

" What do you want with me?! " Gabriela nervously asked as she was scared to resist.

Roodaka Adder laughed maliciously at her and tauntingly said, " So, you're planning to get a newspaper cover about the recent attack and disclosing what the Ordrè had done, ja? " Then, she changed into a serious tone, " Listen, mein Fraulein. I want you to remain silent and don't you dare to disclose everything! It's either you will be dead or being experimented for good! "

" What can merely one journalist do? I hardly even got any information! " Gabriela nervously said.

" You want information, ja oder nein? I'll show you what's going to happen! "

" My friend will know that you kidnap me and he'll find you! " Gabriela sternly warned Roodaka.

" Ja. Try it! " Roodaka smirked and snapped her fingers, casting a spell of mist which you fell asleep.

Gabriela instantly fell to the ground after being hit by Roodaka's spell of mist, slowly going to sleep. She had become very unaware that she was being kidnapped. The Chergarian Umbral cultist grinned intently and grabbed her away.

" Gut, Sie werden keinen Artikel mehr veröffentlichen. (Good, you will no longer be publishing an article anymore.) " the Chergarian woman grinned.

[Moments Later]

Gabriela woke up in a dark and dismal dungeon and saw a window hindered by metallic bars. She was hearing some voices talking in Chergarian, Tallish, and Neo-Yddrassi. She barely understood what they were talking about and thought of escaping. Suddenly, she heard some loud cries of wild animals after the mixed conversation and got terrified of what's going on from the outside.

" What's happening out there? " Gabriela nervously asked as she continued trying to find a way to escape the dungeon.

" Hallo, mein Fraulein Herrera! " a middle aged looking Chergarian scientist stood up infront of her prison cell and evilly grinned in greeting. " It's good to see you in person! You're trying to uncover the Umbral Cult in your country, ja? "

Just beside him, a short raven haired Elandric man in his thirties politely smiled and stood beside his older associate. He was wearing a business suit and placing his both hands in his jacket pockets. He intently grinned while confronting her.

" That's not gonna happen, anymore, miss, " the younger man broke his silence.

" Why does it concern you?! Worried that your rivals will be brought to justice?! " Gabriela sternly asked as she tried to calm down from being afraid.

" Heh, justice, eh?! " the Elandric associate scoffed and crossed his arms. " I don't think that's the absolute resolution for all of us. We are here to change your life for the better. "

" Ja, " the Chergarian scientist added. " We will bring you a better version of yourselves by the guidance and blessing of
mein Umbral Gott Xiven."

" Change my life?! A better version?! My life doesn't need any changing to it. I asked again, why are you so concern about a Umbral Cult in Rogacia. Where you might consider some enemies and rivals?! " Gabriela sternly said.

The two men exchanged glances and heard her response. They both gave her a loud hardy laugh. She found them very ridiculous and wanted why they were reacting that way to her.

" Why is it so hilarious? "

" Das ist Unsinn, Fräulein! (That's nonsense, miss!) " the mad scientist commented and showed her a picture of an older balding Aldernian-Rogacian man with his followers. He was dressed in a tunic with some trimmings and a dark cloak and holding an intricate looking staff with a bunch of snake-like tendrils. He happened to be a cult leader from Rogacia. " Does this ring a bell to you, ja oder nein?! "

" Oscar Saddler y Reyes! " Gabriela said in disbelief as she recognized the cult leader.

" You know this guy, don't you? He's from the Polyphemus Society, " the younger Elandric associate smirked and remarked. " Brilliant! Oh, how lucky, you got to know him. Only Senator Neforie and the other higher-ups can only communicate and deal with him, since he has provided us the resources for further experimentation. "

" You're working with that madman?! You disgusting beings!" Gabriela yelled at Doctor Günther and Kasius.

" Well, technically, yes, mein Fraulein, " Doctor Mutran Günther nonchalantly spoke and shrugged. " You see, you will be the first receipient of Herr Saddler's gift, ja? "

" More like, it's Lords Xiven and Polyphemus' Blessing to get it sorted for you, " Kasius Tucker interjected and intently smirked.

" Gift?! More like curse! " Gabriela sternly disagreed.

" Kasius, it's time, " Mutran turned to his younger associate.

" As you wish, Doctor Günther, " Kasius obediently nodded and evilly smirked, morphing his both hands into a pair of metallic strong arms, breaking the prison cell, and tightly carrying her.

" Wunderbar! It's about time for her to get herself 'sorted' for good! "

Gabriela went to hit Kasius hard with her fists as he was carrying her. She loudly yelled, " Let go of me! "

Kasius was unaffected and bringing her to the operating table. Gabriela was horrified to see the animal body parts. Doctor Günther held a transparent glass jar of Saddler's blood sample to be infused to her. His younger Elandric associate brought a 20 ml syringe of anesthesia and injected on her forearm.

Gabriela fell unconscious again. The procedure began when the two men chanted a prayer of Xiven, Polyphemus, and Damocles in Chergari language. Just outside the laboratory and operating room, Sigurd was leaning on a wall and crossing his arms, recalling the words of Ivo, Christopher, and the Blue Knight from three days ago.

" Remember, Maria Angela Von Kolff-Friedrich?! Your younger half-sister! She hopes to be reunited with you, Nystrom!....Your sister, Angela...you left her when she was young... She asked you to surrender. Please...you need to get out of that delusion. "

" Sigurd, Ivo's right. I understand you have done horrendous crimes. We asked you to surrender and reunite with your sister. You have a nephew and niece in the Dread Wolves Tribe. Those children need to see their uncle before it's too late. "

" You'll just end up regretting your life until your last breath..."

" What's wrong with you, Sigurd? " Roodaka approached him and asked. " Are you still sulking after those dummkopfen tried to convince you? "

Sigurd stopped thinking about what the Blue Knight's allies at the Candlemas incident before moving his attention to Roodaka. He said, " Of course not, just thinking about our steps to our plans."

" I have good news, mein freund. " she smirked and raised her right hand in interjection. " Senator Neforie will take over as the new president next year, since we have kidnapped his potential opponents just this week. You were supposed to be there, but what happened? You just locked up in your room, nein? You are unaware of what will happen very soon. Hans tried to quake the door for you to show up, but he was infuriated of you for being unresponsive. So, I just assisted your Tallish fellows and temporarily lead them on your behalf. "

" It's because I was resting up from my recent task. Not to mention, I was praying to the Umbral Gods for protection and strength for the coming days ahead of us. I do hope you don't think of me as weak now, " Sigurd angrily said to Roodaka as he tried to reinforce his lie.

Roodaka intently grinned and clasped her both hands, playing along and pretending to be convinced," Very well, Sigurd. If you say so, I will not bother your time for your prayers to our Umbral Gods. Just be prepared and show up, next time, ja? "

" Ja, I'll be ready for our next move, " Sigurd sternly said.

" Gut, mein freund. "

[Monoceros Keep Police Department: 4:30 PM, 28th of Before Witching, Year 426]

A transistor radio which Chirox Friedrich repaired was playing a song from a Foranean singer which happened to be melancholic. The visitors waited in queue for another police officer to assist them and listened to the gloomy song.

A scarlet haired bearded man with his two companions sat on the chairs and waited for anyone to cater them. The other one was a blonde Foranean Army captain who spent reading some newspaper. When the song ended, there was a sudden jazzy upbeat tempo jingle which it turned out to be a newsflash report. Everyone turned their attention to the male broadcaster's voice. Neil curiously listened to broadcaster to know what's going on as he waited.

" En l'absence de candidats à la présidentielle et à la vice-présidence, le sénateur Valfor Neforie préparera son investiture au début de l'année prochaine. Le président Zacharie Emil Pasteur remplacera le nouveau vice-président après le décès de feu Timèo Macreau. (With missing presidential and vice presidential candidates, Senator Valfor Neforie will be preparing for his inauguration in the beginning of the next year. President Zacharie Emil Pasteur will be replacing as the new Vice President after the late Timèo Macreau's demise.) "

" Après l'incident de la Chandeleur, les autorités locales du donjon de Monoceros et d'autres villes ont renforcé leurs niveaux de sécurité et leurs précautions. Les lieux publics sont devenus plus stricts que les mois précédents. Il existe plusieurs points de contrôle et inspections avant d'entrer et de quitter la ou les villes. (After the Candlemas incident, the local authorities in Monoceros Keep and other towns have heightened their security levels and precautions. Public places have become stricter than in the previous months. There are multiple checkpoints and inspections before entering and leaving the city or towns.) "

" This isn't great at all. It's horrendous that Foranea is in complete chaos now, " Neil heavily sighed.

" Expect the worst, Neil, " Pierre remarked and held down his newspaper. " I am assigned to do some thorough checkpoints. People are complaining on this. I feel sorry for them. "

" Par ailleurs, les pompiers et les autorités locales rencontrent toujours des difficultés à cause du brouillard martinnois. De nombreux rapports font état d'intrus harcelant les nouveaux arrivants. (On the other news, firefighters and local officials are still having difficulties of the Martinnois fog. There are many reports of intruders harassing the newcomers.) "

" So, it seems like going to Martinnois is very difficult these days, oui? " Matau asked.

" I agree, " Vakama sadly sighed. " I am worried for Matthijs and his family that it will prolong their stay in the village. Even the Martinnois residents, they won't be going home until it's cleared. "

A long blue haired Beirunese-Foranean woman in her early forties heavily sighed and said, " Naruhodo. (Understood.) It's very difficult for them to continue with that kind of fog happening in that town. "

" This could lead into violent riots if nothing is done soon, " Neil sadly said.

" Hai, sodes ne. (Yes, that's right.) " she nodded.

" Pardon moi, mes amies? " Matau interjected and asked. " I can remember Onewa, Nuju, and Whenua all live in Martinnois, but why couldn't I see them when I was there? "

" That remains a mystery, Matau, " Vakama commented and scratched his chin. " That's why we're here at the police station for help. "

" Even my girlfriend has been kidnapped, " Pierre sadly sighed and admitted. " I couldn't even rescue her. "

" Je suis dèsolè, mon ami, " Vakama empathised the blonde Foranean army captain. " We feel the same way for our missing friends. We are in the same page as you are. "

" Merci beaucoup, monsieur, " Pierre slightly smiled at scarlet haired man.

" Dè rien. "

Just then, the rest had noticed an elderly chief inspector talking to Shemlock and Tier who have just arrived from the office. He wore thick dark clothes and seemed to have a very serious disposition.

" Everyday, the situation is getting worse in Foranea, " Tier said to Shemlock.

" More like, the Candlemas Incident, the Martinnois Fog, and the previous incidents are starting to become more intertwined than before, " the Aldernian detective-mage answered. " And another thing, the missing people reports have more increased than the case of Dr. Teridax Moreau. "

" By the heavens, " Tier said in disbelief. " This could be the work of Tucker and his mercenaries. If we don't stop him soon half of the population of Foranea will be missing."

" I can handle and solve the case of the Martinnois fog if you don't mind, aside from hunting Riki Vonku, " an elderly icy blue haired and moustached Elandric private investigator spoke. " You guys concentrate on the kidnappings and the Candlemas incident. "

" Then, who are you? " Shemlock asked the elderly man.

" Drift McGonigle, PI. I have come all the way from Elandris, my friends. I got assigned by Chief Inspector Eugene Dubois. You must be the greatest Aldernian detective-mage, Shemlock Homes, I take it? "

" By all means, yes. Mr. Gonigle. "

" Very well. I have heard of your investigations in your homeland before. "

" Inspecteur Tier Sauveterre. It's a good to meet you, monsieur, " he said and offered the Elandric private investigator his hand.

" It's a pleasure to meet you, monsieur Inspecteur. " Drift smiled and shook his hands with the phooka police inspector. " If you guys need my help, I'm definitely willing to solve. Like the most common proverb says, 'Two heads are better than one.' "

" Not bad, " Shemlock nodded no furiously.

" Actually, we do need assistance in finding a man and his mercenaries, " Tier replied.

" Do you happen to hear of rebels in Tallemark? They were supposed to abolish a well-known clan in that country for their political power and gain. It seems like it makes sense that they joined the Umbral Cult, " Drift replied and showed a newspaper article of the extremists around twenty-two years ago.

" They called themselves the Progenitors of Neo-Tallemark, " Shemlock deduced and read the article. " They're trying to overthrow Clan Talia as their main objective. Now, they have found a financial support and back up from Ordrè de Damocles and manpower from Sheeva's family. "

" I believe a man named Sigurd Nystrom is part of this plan to overthrow Clan Talia, " Tier said to Drift.

" You found the guy, but I'm wondering how did he and the other become Werewolves? " the Elandric private investigator asked.

" It's possible Kasius Tucker turned into werewolves." Tier theorized.

" If so, have you met this guy up and close? " Drift asked.

" He happened to my former schoolmate from Odyssea Academy who got expelled due to his unauthorised and heinous acts of mutation and Umbral magic, " Shemlock replied.

" Sigurd and Chergarian Leanan Sidhe named Hans Malter were also part of the Candlemas incident, " Tier added.

" We have suspects now, " Drift McGonigle replied.

" We've been attempting to find their current location but had dead ends instead, " Tier said to Drift.

" Okay, it seems like we're running out of leads, " the Elandric PI replied.

" Do you think if we could raid Dr. Teridax Moreau's premise? " the Aldernian detective mused.

" How? We don't even know the location of his bunker, " Tier curiously asked.

" I have a contact with one of them. A spy working for the Ordrè de Damokles, " Shemlock answered.

" You didn't tell me there a spy infiltrating the Ordrè de Damokles. Who is he? " Tier asked his colleague.

" Aurelio Alghieri. "

" How do you know him? Should we worried that he'll get caught? " Tier asked with concern.

" He's part of the Foranean Intelligence. His adoptive parents brought him in Monoceros Keep after leaving St. Samuel's Orphanage in St. Essa. Well, I'm thinking of seeing him by tonight and warning him of his exploits. "

" Perhaps he could give us further information on the Umbral Cults' next set of plans, " Tier optimistically said.

" It may be a possibility for us to execute, " Shemlock nodded and pulled a piece of folded paper from his coat. " By the way, Amnon and Ivo asked me to give you this. It consists of written testimonies of Janusz Kowalski and Dr. Victor Messier transcribed in Franken by Mr. Friedrich, himself. "

" Merci, Shemlock. I'll be sure my other colleagues and the district attorney get to see this, " Tier gratefully said and started reading the testimonies of Dr. Victor Messier and Janusz Kowalski. They mentioned the two people's names; Kasius Tucker and Dr. Mutran Günther. " They both mentioned that Kasius Tucker and Dr. Mutran Günther are behind their mutations. This is invaluable for making sure these maniacs will face justice, " Tier said to Shemlock and Drift.

" I might say we need more leads aside from these two victims, " Drift suggested. " Perhaps, Tucker's family members."

" Or even my best friend and former schoolmate in Odyssea Academy, Doctor Montmartre, " Shemlock added.

[Alleyways of Place Loggen near Dr. Teridax Moreau's Residence, Monoceros Keep, 9:45 PM, 28th of Before Witching, Year 426]

The Aldernian detective was talking to a secret black market weapons dealer dressed in a trenchcoat. The man pointed at the spot where the Late Dr. Moreau's residence was situated. Shemlock nodded when another man in a fedora hat and brown coat appeared to him. The detective recognised him as the man in coat gestured him to come.

" Evening, Shemlock, " Aurelio quietly said to his colleague.

" Evening, Aurelio, " he lowly greeted and replied." I believe you're pointing me at Doctor Moreau's residence. "

" Sì (Yes). Are you alone? " Aurelio nervously asked.

" No, I'm not. The Blue Knight may be wandering and observing around. The others may be undercover and hiding. No worries, I'm just here to talk. "

" What do you want to talk about, Shemlock? " Aurelio curiously asked.

" Have you heard of Chirox Ludwig Friedrich? He's at the hospital recovering physically and mentally who was a former member of the Umbral Cult under Moreau's wing. He wrote the testimonies of two victims of Günther and Tucker. Do you know where they are? "

" Dr. Moreau's house has an underground bunker tunnel leading to a abandoned church as the endpoint. The bunker is where Dr. Günther and Kasius Tucker is imprisoning their experimentees, " Aurelio explained to Shemlock.

" So, you and Mister Friedrich are spot on, after all, " Shemlock nodded and asked. " What else do you see in the bunker? "

" A lot of innocent people being turned into animal hybrids. I've met Tordu Le Strange, Sigurd Nystrom, and the other experimented ones. The latest one is a woman named Gabriela Herrera Guzmán who was mutated with Oscar Saddler y Reyes' DNA. The procedure was horrendously terrible. Those two scientists summoned the Umbral gods first for the ritual before doing the mutation process." Aurelio continued to explain.

" Anyone else who was involved and supported in their exploits, like a capitalist or any of their henchmen? "

" A Foranean politician named Carolus Le Roy. Nerforie's colleague in politics and in the cult and a sympathizer for the Chergarian Empire. Le Roy also nicknames himself as " Monsieur le bon gars (Mister Good Guy). " Another thing about Tucker. He seem frustrated at failing to turn his subjects into humanoid animals and not hybrids. There are times where he lost it and threw his subjects into a cell or abandoned them in a forest."

Shemlock looked above the skies and heavily sighed, " I see. "

" Anything else you want to know? " Aurelio asked as he looked nervously around the area.

" Does Galina know about this undercover mission of yours? "

" Yes, she's the one who assigned to this uncover mission. "

" And she expects your inputs for this one? "

" Of course. Galina knows about the politician who support the experimenter being mutated." Aurelio said.

" I assume this is Senator Carolus Le Roy. "

Aurelio nodded at Shemlock, " Correct. "

" Right, I'll keep them noted, thank you, " he nodded back.

" Prego (You're welcome). " Aurelio nervously said before heavily sighing.

" Good luck, there. "

" I'm scared of getting caught. This mission is making me paranoia, " Aurelio nervously said.

" I understand. Like I said, the Blue Knight and some people around the place, " Shemlock assured.

Aurelio nodded as he tried to calm down, " Good. Stay safe on arresting Dr. Günther and Tucker at the church."

" We will. "

[Dr. Moreau's Underground Bunker: 9:32 PM, 28th of Before Witching, Year 426]

Aurelio headed to the laboratory and peeked if the two scientists were no longer present. He sighed in relief and kept walking around the hallway. Suddenly, he picked up the notes from Dr. Günther, flipped the pages, and read them carefully. There were Umbral magic and mutation spells involving alchemy.

Aurelio quickly looked around for anyone nearby before taking the notes and went to find a place to burn it. He saw the pages of sacrificial transmutation circles and rituals for the Umbral gods. Yet, he found them very disturbing. The first one was a dragon with some triangles underneath. The second one was full of symbols within circles and a hexagon. Aurelio quickly went to a fire source created by a mutated one before throwing all of the notes into it.

An orange haired mutated man with dragon wings, a pair of horns on his head, and a tail in his mid thirties exclaimed in shock, " Hé, qu'est-ce que tu fais chez Iliad?! Vous brûlez une fortune importante?! (Hey, what on Iliad are you doing?! You're burning an important fortune?!) "

The man's flame on his tail was igniting as he was trying to prevent Aurelio.

" Qu'entendez-vous par fortune? Ces notes appartiennent à un rituel maléfique de I'Ombre. Il fallait le détruire (What you mean fortune? These notes belong to a evil Umbral ritual. It needed to be destroyed)." Aurelio said in disagreement and saw the notes being slowly destroyed by the fire.

" D'accord, qui en a besoin de toute façon? (Right, who needs them anyway?) " the dragon man sighed and relented.

" Qui êtes vous? Pourquoi ne vouliez-vous pas que je détruise les notes (Who are you? Why didn't you want me to destroy the notes)? "

The mutated man shushed him and lowly spoke, " Je suis désolé, je fais juste semblant d'être un fidèle d'eux et je trouve un moyen de m'échapper. (I'm sorry I'm just pretending to be a loyal follower of them and finding a way to escape.) "

" Êtes-vous un agent de découverte comme moi (Are you a uncover agent like I am)? " Aurelio curiously asked the mutated man.

" Non, Je suis trapéziste volant et acrobate du cirque Kastronov. J'ai été kidnappé il y a plus d'un mois après l'incident. (No, I'm a flying trapeze artist and an acrobat from Kastronov Circus. I got kidnapped over a month ago after the incident.) " the dragon man replied.

" Le cirque Kastronov? Le même cirque qui a été attaqué par les cultistes de I'Umbra (The Kastronov Circus? The same circus that was attacked by Umbral cultists)? " Aurelio curiously asked the mutated man.

" Oui, " he nodded.

" Are you another victim of Kasius Tucker? "

" Yes, my name's Charlemagne Le Rizard, a circus performer. I became a dragon man because of him, " he sadly sighed. " I missed performing, but they asked me to become a weapon instead. "

" I'm sorry for what happened to you. No one deserves to be mutated and made into a weapon, " Aurelio sadly said.

" I hope messieurs Kastronov will accept me like this. "

" I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Aurelio Alghieri," he said to Charlemagne.

" It's nice to meet you, Aurelio, " Charlemagne slightly smiled.

" They want to use all the mutated people as weapons in the upcoming Chergarian invasion? " Aurelio asked in disbelief.

" Oui. I don't want that to happen and I'm not even a soldier in the first place, " the dragon man sadly sighed and admitted. " I'm a circus performer and an entertainer. I just played along with them, but they also injected me with a dark blood in my body to become more powerful than I used to be. "

" There has to be a way for you to escape this place,," Aurelio said feeling sad for the circus performer.

" Can you help me, Aurelio? " he asked with concern and anxiously spoke. " I'm so scared with them. I can't take them anymore."

" I'll try. Is there anything here that can free you from the cell?" Aurelio asked.

" Okay, can you try to find the key to open this door? "

Aurelia quickly looked around the area for the key to Charlemagne's cell. He couldn't find anything within area. Until, he were seeing a tired Akrovian Leanan Sidhe who was holding a key. Then, he headed to his room and accidentally dropped the keys on the floor. It was about time to take it. He picked up the keys dropped by the Akrovian Leanan Sidhe and quickly headed back to Charlemagne.

" I've got the keys, " he said.

" Merci beaucoup, Aurelio. "

Aurelio went to insert the key into the cell door and opened it to free the circus the performer. Charlemagne sighed in relief when he started leaving the cell.

" How about you? "

" I'll be fine. I still have a undercover mission to do. There just one problem, " Aurelio nervously said and moved his head around.

" What is it? "

" The Umbral cultists will know that I destroyed the ritual notes and freed you unless we make it convincing I didn't, " Aurelio explained.

" I think I have an idea, " Charlemagne snapped his fingers and lowly spoke. " Let's say you ditched me away after you found me burning those ritual notes. "

" Good idea. Find my friends and colleagues. Shemlock Holmes and Galina Lavigne. They'll assure you're safe from the Umbral Cults, " Aurelio said to Charlemagne.

" Is there a doctor who can check me aside from this dark blood I have? "

" I would go to Monoceros Keep General Hospital to get treatment for your condition, " Aurelio suggested.

" Right, " he nodded. " Merci. "

" May Photis keep you safe, " Aurelio said to Charlemagne.

" You, too, mon'ami. A-bientòt. " the circus entertainer sincerely smiled and headed himself away from the prison area.

Moments later, you heard an angry discourse between Kasius and Dr. Günther in Chergari. Aurelio overheard them from a distance and got interested. Then, he continued to eavesdrop on the conversation between Dr. Günther and Tucker.

" Du Idiot! Du überlässt Vamprah die Schlüssel! Hast du vergessen, dass Roodaka dafür verantwortlich sein soll?! Nicht dieser stille, lebensraubende Luski-Dummkopf! (You idiot! You let Vamprah hold the keys! Have you forgotten that Roodaka is supposed to be in charge of it?! Not that silent Luski life draining fool!) " Mutran heatedly ranted at his younger colleague.

" Roodaka muss Sheeva wegen Ihres giftigen Gases in Martinnois treffen. Sie hat ihn vorerst als Aufseher ausgewählt.(Roodaka has to meet Sheeva about your toxic gas in Martinnois. She has chosen him to be the warden for now.) " Kasius reasoned.

" Wo hat er nun die Schlüssel verlegt?! (Now, where did he misplace the keys?!) "

The Elandric Umbral alchemist turned around and kept finding those keys throughout the hallway. Just then, he widened his eyes in shock and gasped, discovering that Charlemagne's prison cell had been empty.

" C-Charlemagne der Große ist entkommen! (C-Charlemagne h-has e-escaped!) " Kasius spoke nervously and gulped, pointing at the opened cell.

" Was?! NEIN?! Finde diesen nutzlosen Drachen und töte ihn endgültig! (What?! No?! Find that useless dragon and kill him for good!) "

" J-Ja w-wohl! "

Aurelio quietly threw the keys next to Charlemagne's cell before moving his attention back to Dr. Günther and Tucker. Kasius heavily sighed and took out his weapons on a hunt to take down the circus dragon man. Dr. Günther angrily cussed and ranted in his language. Suddenly, he noticed that Umbral ritual book was burnt into ashes. The mad scientist agitatingly shook and clenched his both hands.

" Scheiße! "

Aurelio stayed quiet and continued to observe Dr. Günther and Tucker as they started to panic at the sight of Charlemagne's escape and the destroyed ritual notes.

[Monoceros Keep General Hospital Grounds: 9:56 AM, 29th of Before Witching, Year 426]

Aurelio found it very unlikely to meet his handler in the hospital garden area. He was sitting at the bench and waiting for her to come. He moved his head to and fro when he saw a white haired human-elven hybrid woman in a thick fur coat.

He stood up and walked over to greet Galina, " You're here. "

" Oui. I just came to see a doctor for my appointment, " she said. " What's your report? "

" I sabotaged Dr. Günther and Tucker's ritual notes and freed one of the experimented people, " Aurelio answered.

" Très bien. I shall tell this to my colleague about your progress. We are still waiting for you to uncover those cultists have been doing. Is Tucker out there and hunting one of them? "

" Tucker was angry about that experiment man I freed. This man's name is Charlemagne Le Rizard. He used be a performer for the Kastronov Circus, " Aurelio said to Galina.

" I see, " Galina nodded and sat down. " He might be in hiding. This man needs to be protected at all costs before Tucker takes him down. I'll ask my collegue to find him a new home. Anything else from the circus performer? "

" Charlemagne said that Dr. Günther and Tucker are planning on using the innocent people who were mutated into animal hybrids as weapons for the upcoming invasion. Sheeva is also the one behind the Martinnois gas, " Aurelio explained.

" Upcoming invasion? I have never heard of another conspiracy, " Galina cocked her eyebrows and crossed her arms.

" I heard about a Chergarian invasion from Antrox, Nidhiki, and Chirox before they got arrested. " Aurelio revealed.

Galina seemed to be very silent for a while and deeply recalled a former Umbral cultist who got burned in prison days before Candlemas. She looked concerned at the bandaged man being assisted by his wife in strolling around the hospital's snow covered garden. Then, she turned her attention to her fellow.

" Monsieur Chirox Ludwig Friedrich, " the human-elven woman surmised. " I have heard that man from Monsieur Homes, a former Umbral Cultist turned police asset and debunker. I think I have seen that bandaged Chergarian man in the garden with his wife. Would you like to see him, Aurelio? "

Aurelio nodded at Galina, " Of course. "

" Over there, " she looked at the couple in winter coats and scarves around their necks hugging as they were being surrounded by visiting doves and pigeons at the garden.

Aurelio walked over to the couple to greet them, " Morning. "

" Guten Morgen... I mean, Bon màtan, " the bandaged Chergarian man greeted him as his blonde wife smiled at Aurelio and Galina. Then, he curiously asked, " You look familiar. Have we met before, jeune monsieur? "

" I believe we did. I'm Aurelio Alghieri, " he answered.

" Aurelio?! The new boy, ja?! Wirklich?!" the burn survivor raised his voice in awe and recalled, holding his walking stretcher's handle. " I'm Chirox Ludwig Friedrich, remember me? "

Aurelio sadly nodded at Chirox, " l do. I'm sorry for what happened to you."

" It's okay. I'm recovering now, mein freund. My wife and I spent two to three weeks in the hospital. I'm still waiting for my surgery which the doctors would do to me very soon. I'm still in therapy and interrogation since I'm testifying against them. "

" We're glad we have seen you reuniting with your wife, monsieur Friedrich, " Galina sincerely smiled. " I'm Galina Lavigne, by the way. "

" We are pleased to meet you both, " the blonde woman said. " My name's Maria Angela Von Kolff-Friedrich, Chirox's wife and Sigurd's younger half-sister. "

" It's good to meet, Angela. I worked for the Foranea government as an agent and currently uncovered, " Aurelio explained.

" So, you and my husband are uncovering the Ordrè de Damokles, ja? " Angela asked.

He nodded at her, " Correct. Specifically Dr. Günther and Kasius Tucker. "

" Doktor Mutran Günther, He's Moreau's rival back when I was in Ordrè de Damokles. Don't tell me, he has been doing some mutant experimentations with his associate? " Chirox heavily sighed and surmised.

" Tell me, have you seen my brother, Sigurd? " Angela asked.

" I saw him after the Candlemas incident. Something was bothering him though. I don't know what, " Aurelio answered.

" Meine Götter! Himmel! " she gasped in shock. " Don't tell me, he's one of those Tallish werewolf terrorists! "

Aurelio heavily sighed, "I'm afraid so."

" Verdammte...nein! " Angela wept as her husband comforted her by embracing her.

" Jè suis dèsole, Madame Friedrich, " Galina heavily sighed.

" Es tut mir sehr leid (I'm very sorry)." Aurelio sadly said to Angela.

" Mein freunden, perhaps, there's a way to bring Sigurd back, " Chirox broke his silence while hugging his wife. " I'm thinking if I could join with you all to make him surrender. "

" Monsieur Friedrich, are you sure about this? This is a very bold move you have thought, " she asked with a concern. " You might get harmed. I don't think your physicians or even the police handlers will allow you to do a negotiation tactic. "

" I want to do this on her behalf and make her reunited with him. "

" I can't assist you with this otherwise my cover will be blown," Aurelio said to Chirox.

" I'll ask Herr Inspektor Sauveterre and the others if this is possible. I just want my brother-in-law to be found alive for her and be redeemed. Please, Fraulein Lavigne, don't kill Sigurd. I have to let my children meet him as their uncle before it's too late. "

The human-elven woman sighed relentedly and said, " Let's see what we can do, Monsieur Friedrich, but we don't want to risk your life for this negotiation activity. "

" Inspektor Sauveterre will make sure Sigurd isn't killed. In the meantime, I'll see if I get more information on Dr. Günther and Kasius Tucker and try to free more prisoners, " Aurelio said to Chirox.

" Danke schön. " Chirox smiled sincerely and nodded.

(RP with BjornGamR27)

(Some OCs from BjornGamR27 and Knightfall077)