"I'm Thanatos Hedera... your father."

The four boys all gasped. Angelica stared, wide eyed, completely stunned by the news. She never knew her father - didn't think he was even alive. But now there he was, standing before her as leader of the assassins. One by one, the other assassins removed their masks, already seeing Angelica as trustworthy.

"D... Dad?" The word felt foreign on the girl's tongue. "I have a dad?"

With her mind still reeling, Thanatos engulfed her in a hug. The sensation of a father's loving embrace was new, but comforting. Angelica quickly found herself returning the hug.

"I thought you were dead," the man mumbled. "I thought you both were dead." He pulled away all too quickly for Angelica. Thanatos glanced around the girl with a giddy grin on his face. "And Val? Where is she?"

Angelica's lips turned down in a frown. "She's... gone."

Thanatos's gaze fell on the redhead and his grin faded in an instant. "Oh."

Angelica remembered the magitek engine used for transport and backed up a couple of steps. "The empire killed her. Speaking of which, why do you use Niff ships?" She was wary of his answer.

"They present us with work and new methods of transportation and such, as long as we don't cross our boundaries." His expression darkened. "But that changes now. If they're responsible for Val's death, then I will make them pay."

The look on his face made Noctis and the boys uneasy. It was a look they'd seen countless times on Angelica, with a vengeful gleam in her eyes. But in an instant, the look was gone and a friendly smile graced his lips. His gaze fell on the four boys behind the girl.

"And who are your friends?"

The redhead looked back at them, almost forgetting they were there. "Oh, this is Noctis, Gladiolus, Ignis, and Prompto. They've been my friends for years."

"Well, any friends of my daughter's are welcome in Secreta. Come, I'll show you all around."

With the other assassins returning to their daily routines, Thanatos gave the five newcomers a quick tour of the village. It was relatively small in comparison to a place such as Lestallum. There was a large dais located in the center of Secreta with a sylleblossom depicted on it. The houses and shops were all built around it.

"A sylleblossom," Noctis murmured. "That's Luna's favorite."

"Correct me if I'm wrong," Thanatos said, overhearing the prince, "but aren't you Noctis Lucis Caelum, crown prince of Lucis?"

Noctis was taken aback by the sudden question. "Uh, yeah, I am."

"Noct has been my friend since childhood," Angelica explained. "I kinda grew up with these guys."

Thanatos slowly nodded. "I see. I wished I'd been there to see you grow up."

Angelica could hear the traces of sorrow in his tone. "Please, tell me everything about you and Mom. What happened before I was born? I want to know everything."

Thanatos chuckled lightly. "I'll tell you whatever you want to know. Come, let's talk at my place."

He led the group to his own home, which was painted blue in color to represent his clan. It was one of the largest, fanciest houses in the village. It was obvious his status as chief had a great impact on that. In the large living room of his home, Thanatos sat his daughter down with him on a couch. Prompto and Noctis took a seat in a couple of chairs, but Ignis and Gladio remained standing by.

"Now tell me about you and Mom. What was she like when she lived here?"

Thanatos smiled, the memories still fresh in his mind. "Val was the most beautiful and talented assassin I'd ever met. She was always the first one to be assigned to the most difficult jobs, and every time, she'd return victorious." Angelica couldn't help but smile. "I guess it was fairly obvious I'd fallen for her. Then one day, her father, the last of her family, had been killed on a job. And just like that, she was the last of her clan. During the funeral for her father, I managed to speak to her. We hit it off right away."

"I can't believe she never told me any of this," the girl quietly stated. "Then what happened?"

"Well, we had to keep our relationship a secret. Our chief at the time didn't want the last Solani to be with anyone of a lower clan such as mine. But we managed to remain undiscovered, even went as far as to marry in secret. A few years later though, when Val was pregnant with you, everyone in the village knew about us. The chief threatened to have you killed the instant you were born. And so, Val and I were separated and forced to take whatever assignments given to us, for your sake."

Angelica listened intently to every word, as were her friends. Things were starting to fit together. Thanatos leaned forward, covering his eyes with his hands.

"Val was eventually sent on a special mission... to assassinate King Regis of Lucis. When she never came back, we all assumed the worst." Uncovering his face, the man was scowling. "I hated the chief for it. I trained, and got stronger and stronger until I was able to kill him and take his place." He then looked over at his daughter. "If Val didn't die back then, what exactly happened?"

Angelica was glad her mother had told her the story of why she served Regis. "She did attempt to kill the king," the girl explained, "but in her state, she was defeated and begged the king to spare my life. His Majesty allowed us both a second chance. So, my mom and I were indebted to him, and served him the best we could." She lowered her gaze to her feet. "It was only recently when Niflheim attacked and my mom was killed." She clenched her fists. "I... I was powerless to save her. I watched her die right before my eyes."

Her anger and sadness were bubbling up inside her once more. The memory was such a painful one. Thanatos placed a comforting arm around her shoulder.

"But that can change now," he told her, pulling her closer. "Together, we can take down the empire. Join me, Angelica, and we can avenge Valerie."

"WHAT?!" the boys all cried.

"Angel, you can't be thinking of actually doing this!" Noctis yelled, rising to his feet. "We've still got things we need to do!"

"We can't very well go running off on bloody suicide missions!" Ignis was even voicing his opinion. "Our goals may be similar, but this is not the way we should go about this!"

Angelica was looking between her father and each of her friends. "I... um..."

"It's alright," Thanatos said, a kind smile gracing his lips. "Take some time to think it over. It's a big decision. But just remember, I can't do this without you."

Angelica sat there in thought while her friends fell silent. Thanatos stood and she slowly followed. The man ushered them all out of his home. Not far away was the dais in the center of the village. The flower on it got Angelica thinking even more. While she would definitely need time to think over her father's offer, she wanted to learn all she could about her people.

"By the way, why is there a sylleblossom on that dais?"

"It has to do with the history of the assassins," Thanatos explained. "Legends say that it was the Oracles who established this village for our people, and that the first assassin clans were more like protectors of the Oracles. It's odd to think that our ancestors were nothing more than bodyguards." Angelica only nodded in understanding. "If you're all to be staying here, then you'll need a place to rest."

Thanatos led them a short ways to a dark red house equally as regal as his own. Angelica stared up at it with wide eyes. "Is this...?"

Thanatos chuckled and opened the front door. "This is where Val used to live." Stepping inside, everything looked clean and well-kept. "I had it kept tidy all these years. I guess a part of me always hoped Val would return one day... Consider it yours now."

The five all looked around. Angelica spun in circles looking at everything. She saw furniture and things neatly in place without a speck of dust on anything. She even noticed a few baby toys lying on a desk that were meant for her.

"All of this... was supposed to be mine," she mumbled, mostly to herself.

"That's not even the best part," Thanatos interrupted. He led her and the boys upstairs to Valerie's bedroom. There was a bedside table with a mask designed like a coeurl. "This was Val's mask. She left it behind on her last few jobs. I think it was her way of rebelling against the chief."

"Is that something assassins do?" the girl asked. "Wear monster masks to hide our faces?"

Thanatos nodded. "Basically. It's mostly to keep our identity a secret, but we like to shape and paint them like our favorite monsters. It gives it a bit more... flare."

Angelica lightly traced her fingers over the mask's smooth surface. She then dug into her pack, pulling out her mother's dagger. Thanatos immediately recognized it, and watched as the girl set it beside the mask. After going back downstairs, Noctis placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Angel, you can't actually be buying into this," he whispered. "He's trying to bribe you into staying."

She narrowed her eyes. "I know what I'm doing, Noct. Here's an idea, why don't you guys go for a walk or something?"

"Why?" Noctis responded. "Not our village."

"But you four are more than welcome here," Thanatos butted in. "Go on, have a look around."

Hesitantly, the boys left with frowns on their faces. Thanatos leaned out the door and called out, "Bellus!"

A girl suddenly appeared before him. She looked to be a bit younger than Angelica, and had long, wavy blond hair and brown eyes. "Yes, boss?"

Thanatos smiled at his daughter. "This is Bellus. Her clan has always been in service to the Solani's. She'll be here to help you with whatever you need."

Bellus gasped. "Oh em gee! You mean I get to serve Lady Angelica?! What an honor!"

Thanatos laughed lightly. "Have a lovely evening, my little Angel. Take care of her, Bellus."

The blond saluted like a soldier. "You got it, chief." Thanatos left them and Bellus quickly went inside, bowing her head respectively. "I'm at your command, my lady."

Angelica smiled slightly. I think I'm starting to like it here.