Once the dog left, Mikleo was fine. He released Illumia and was happy the dog was gone. Sorey was about to make a remark regarding his behavior when they overheard a man talking to his friend. "I heard Princess Alisha came through here when she got back to the capital. I woulda loved to see the so-called "princess knight" for myself!"

"Princess Alisha, huh," Mikleo said after hearing the conversation.

"Phew," Sorey sighed in relief. "Sounds like she made it back safe."

"Glad to hear that fox freak didn't catch up to her. But still, to think that she was royalty."

"No kidding. A straight-up princess?!"

"A princess, a knight, and she explores ruins on the side? How'd she wind up with that gig?"

"We already know she enjoys the Celestial Record," Illumia said. "Maybe she was investigating the Shepherds just like us."

"Maybe," Sorey replied. "Won't know for sure until we ask her."

"That's true. Besides, Foxy Loxy might be in town waiting for a chance to get at her," Mikleo stated.

Illumia glanced at the city in the distance. "Even with those tall walls, there's no guarantee that he hasn't infiltrated the city."

"Yeah," Sorey agreed. "We've got to let her know!"

The trio approached the knight on duty. Sorey dealt with the entry paperwork so he could enter the city once the way was clear. When he finished the paperwork and handed them over to the knight, the wagon was fixed. The timing was perfect and now they had access to Ladylake. They crossed the bridge and entered the city.

The boys were astonished when they walked through the front gate and arrived inside Ladylake.

"Holy moly! So this is what Ladylake is like! I can't believe it!" Sorey looked around in awe at the city.

Mikleo shared the same astonished expression as the emerald-eyed boy. "Huh. So this is how humans live. Don't they find it overwhelming? Wow..."

"Gosh, you'd think so!"

"This is the norm for many humans," Illumia commented. "If you grew up in such a city, all of this would be normal."

Mikleo looked in her direction. "You don't look surprised at all. Then again, you've traveled with a Shepherd before. You probably visited tons of places like this."

"The memories are blurry, but I do recall visiting some cities," she replied. "There are probably other places I visited that I don't remember. This journey might just allow me to recover some of those missing pieces."

"Just don't wander off," he told her. "You have a bad habit of doing that when something catches your eye."

Illumia feigned a look of innocence. "What? Me? Wander off?" To mess with him more, she took a few steps toward a side street. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

Mikleo lunged forward and grabbed her hand. "Just behave." He then looked over at Sorey. "And you, remember this isn't a sightseeing trip."

Sorey grinned when he saw the water seraph was still holding Illumia's hand. He chose not to say anything and figured Mikleo would realize it eventually. "The real question is, do we try to find Alisha first, or look for the fox-man?"

"Regardless of who we choose, we'll find both of them," the light seraph stated.

"So let's have a look around town for now," Mikleo said.

"Good call. Let's gather information," Sorey replied.

"Sooo..." Illumia spoke up, staring at the hand Mikleo was holding. "Are you going to hold my hand while we walk around the city?"

"Huh?" Mikleo looked down at their conjoined hands. His eyes widen as his cheeks turned red. He released her hand and immediately looked away.

She smiled, her own cheeks turning a faint crimson. "I wouldn't have minded."

Her words made his cheeks burn even redder.

Sorey silently watched the scene. He was grinning at seeing both of his friends blushing. To save them both from slipping into an awkward silence, he enthusiastically said, "C'mon, let's go look around the city!"

The trio started their adventure around Ladylake. The streets were bustling with people. They ventured down a side street, where a man selling some goods waved Sorey down. "Hey son, how about these duds? Made from real silk! My old lady'll swat me for it, but they're yours for just 860 gald!"

Sorey was curious and approached the vendor. "Oh? Is that cheap?"

Illumia glanced at the goods, only for her attention to be drawn to the hellion standing behind the vendor. "Mikleo..."

The water seraph followed her gaze to see the hellion. His eyes widen as he hastily warned their friend. "Sorey, behind him."

Sorey looked behind the vendor and gasped when he saw the hellion. "Oh!" He backed away and took up a fighting stance. "Should we give it the what-for?"

"And have everyone think you're attacking the street vendor? You want to tour the inside of a human jail cell?" Mikleo retorted. "To everyone else, he looks just like an ordinary human."

"Oh yeah..."

Illumia folded her arms across her chest. "The malevolence in this city is overwhelming. I wouldn't be surprised if we found more hellions among the populace. We need to be careful."

Sorey nodded. "Right."

They returned to the main thoroughfare and headed deeper into the city. They traveled up the stairwell and came across an elderly man scolding a little boy. After insulting the old man, the child ran off. As he passed them, Illumia caught a glimpse of the boy's true form. He was another hellion. "Another one...?" Without warning, she chased after the little boy.

"L-Lumi?!" Sorey shouted.

"Didn't we tell you not to run off?!" Mikleo hollered as he and Sorey chased after her.

Illumia was too focused on following the hellion. She caught up to him when he entered a side street and hid in the shadow of a building. She couldn't believe a hellion was disguised as a child. As the creature of darkness slowly turned around, he hissed, "What, you got a problem?"

She placed a hand on her hip. "Quite brazen to be disguised as a child."

The hellion sniffed the air and suddenly became fearful. His body started to shake. "Y-you're a light seraph!"

"The malevolence within the city is suffocating so it's no surprise to find hellions scurrying about, but one disguised as a human child...that's completely new to me."

The hellion backed away. His back collided with the building behind him.

Illumia knew she needed to save her strength until they found the fox man. She couldn't purify every random hellion she came across within the city. Perhaps she could if she was at full strength and the malevolence within her was gone, but she needed to be careful. "You best run along. The next time I see you, I won't hold back."

The hellion dashed off.

Illumia turned around just when Sorey and Mikleo caught up.

"I didn't know you were so fast, Lumi," Sorey panted.

Mikleo had seen the little boy run past them. "I can't believe that was another hellion."

"This was the first time I've seen a hellion disguised as a child," she confessed. Then, she shook her head. "Sorry for running off. Let's keep looking around."

"No need to worry," Sorey smiled. "I'm pretty sure I saw a sanctuary earlier. Let's check it out!"

Sorey walked ahead of the seraphim. Illumia was following behind him when she felt her hand being grabbed. She didn't have to look to know it was Mikleo. She squeezed his hand, a warm smile spreading across her face as they walked together. She was surprised he didn't scold her like he usually does.

The seraphim remained hand-in-hand until they reached the sanctuary Sorey mentioned. Their hands slipped from each other's as they noticed the large crowd gathered. While the boys were amazed at the beauty of the sanctuary, Illumia overheard two women talking to one another.

"That fox-lookin' guy who bumped into me back there... His eyes gave me the creeps," the woman with blonde hair shuddered.

"Oh, I saw him too!" The sable-haired woman replied. "There was also a dog chasing after him. I think I saw it run to the Noble's District."

Illumia immediately grabbed Sorey and Mikleo. She dragged them away from the crowded sanctuary. "We're heading to the Noble's District."

"What did you discover?" Sorey asked.

"The fox man was spotted being chased by a dog, and that same dog was seen heading to the Noble's District."

"Great work," Mikleo complimented.

"It's amazing what you can learn while eavesdropping," she remarked. "It's also easier to eavesdrop when people can't see you."

"Any idea where the Noble's District is?" Sorey questioned.

"No idea, but..." She turned and pointed to the gate located up another stairwell. "This city has a basic caste system, which could mean the wealthy live in the upper area."

"Sounds plausible," Mikleo said. "We better hurry."

The trio ran past the multiple stalls lining the streets and up the stairwell. They pass through the gate and entered an area that was the location of many mansions.

"Wow, you were right, Lumi," Sorey spoke up.

"If we find the dog, we'll find the fox man," she stated, her eyes scanning the area.

"I don't see any dog," Mikleo commented.

"It has to be somewhere around here. Let's keep looking."

Running through the streets of the Noble's District, they looked for the dog. Not too long into their search, they heard the sound of barking. Figuring it had to be the canine they were looking for, they ran in the direction of the barking.

At the end of the pathway, the trio enters the open gate to one of the mansions. There, they found the dog. Illumia recognized the canine as the same one she was petting on the bridge. She could see it was barking at nothing until blue flames ignited to reveal the fox man. He nimbly jumped onto the stone wall and peered down at them with a twisted smirk.

"He's here!" Sorey glared at the hellion.

"No mistake, that's the fox man!" Mikleo shouted.

The hellion turned his back to them and jumped down from his perch, disappearing on the other side of the wall.

"After him!" Sorey hollered as the dog took off to chase the corrupted man.

"Follow the dog!" Illumia yelled.

The three hightailed it after the canine. They ran back the way they came and returned to the Central District. They pursued the dog all the way into the side streets and back alleys until they caught up to it.

Sorey sighed in relief. "Whew, it's safe!"

"Looks like he cornered it," Mikleo said.

"But where is the hellion?" Illumia asked, eyes looking around.

"We'll find him." Sorey turned to the seraphim. "Are you two ready?"

Mikleo nodded. "Of course."

"Let's do this," Illumia replied.

Prepared for the inevitable battle ahead, the three friends dash into the alley. An eerie darkness settles in the air as the brilliance of the sun seems to be washed away. They looked around for the hellion, but they couldn't find him.

When Illumia sensed movement in the shadows, she summoned a single throwing knife and prepared herself. At the sound of running footsteps, she turned just in time to see the hellion appear. He charged at Mikleo and attempted to slash at him with his sharp claws, but Sorey had tackled him just in time to avoid the attack.

Illumia threw the throwing knife, impaling the hellion in the back. He hissed in pain and annoyance as he turned to face the three. Sorey and Mikleo got to their feet and glared at the fox man.

"Your chicken-hunting days are over, fox!" Sorey declared.

Summoning more throwing knives, Illumia kept her distance alongside Sorey and Mikleo. The two boys revealed their weapons and were ready to fight. The trio of friends squared off against the hellion.

"So! You're really that eager to die, are you?" The hellion cackled.

The battle began.

Illumia remained at mid-range while throwing her knives. She twirled and spun gracefully while Sorey fought the hellion head-on. Mikleo remained at a safe distance and used his seraphic artes. They slowly ebbed away at the hellion's health, but they were struggling.

It was only when she saw Sorey be knocked back did she infuse her throwing knives with her purification powers. She was able to keep the fox man from attacking Sorey while he recovered. Seeing he was targeting her now, she knew she needed a little more power. Throwing a few more knives, she pushed him back before preparing a seraphic arte.

"Lumi, don't!" Mikleo shouted when he saw the silver casting circle appear underneath her.

She refused to listen and cast the spell. "O divine spear, run my enemy through! Holy Lance!" Spears of light appeared in the sky above the hellion. One by one, the spears of light shot down and pierced the fox man. He screamed in pain as the light of purification pierced his body over and over again.

A wave of exhaustion crashed over Illumia as the magic faded. She had yet to fully recover from her previous battle with the hellion. She glared weakly at him when she saw the spell wasn't enough to purify him. She was still too weak to purge him from this world.

"You...!" The hellion screeched as he got to his feet. He was unsteady but still able to walk. "Are a nuisance! Curse the light seraphim!"

Illumia was prepared for his next attack, but she was shocked when he conjured a ball of blue flames and threw it at Sorey and Mikleo instead. She gasped when Mikleo took the brunt of the attack and was knocked against the wall. He lost consciousness and fell to the ground.

"Mikleo!" Sorey shouted.

Overcome with anger, Illumia felt a burst of energy. She used her seraphic artes to cast another light spell. "Bind those who stand against me! Hallowed Chains!"

Silver chains burst from the ground and wrap around the hellion. She tried to keep him bound to finish him off, but she felt the last drop of energy vanish from within her. The chains shattered into shards of light before evaporating. Feeling her consciousness fade, her body collapsed to the ground.

Sorey gasped in horror. "Lumi!"

The hellion smirked in satisfaction at seeing the unconscious girl on the ground before cackling. "Oh, I'm going to enjoy this! A fitting end for worms who dare to wriggle at a god!"

Sorey got to a single knee. He wondered what to do until a dagger came out of nowhere and was jammed into the ground. He tried to see who threw it, only to feel a sharp blade being held against his neck. He grimaced when he felt the cool blade graze against his skin.

"B-Boss!" the hellion shrieked as multiple people in assassin garbs appeared. Two of them surrounded the fox man and aimed their daggers at him. "N-No! I swear, I wasn't-"

"Quiet," one of the assassin's hissed before throwing a dagger at the hellion. The blade pierced his leg, earning a scream of pain as he collapsed to his knees. The two assassins beside him grab his arms to restrain him.

"Wh-Who are you?" Sorey asked shakily.

"We won't warn you again. Be silent," another assassin commanded.

"Have you forgotten our code, Lunarre? You're all out of second chances. Understood?" The question the assassin asked was directed to the hellion. "Go."

As the fox man, Lunarre, was being dragged away, the assassin said, "The assassination order was a mistake. Princess Alisha will no longer be our target."

Sorey gritted his teeth. "You expect me to believe that?!"

"We have our honor." The assassin behind him adjusted their dagger when he attempted to move. "Stay."

"The princess' enemies are legion. For those who wish to remove her, assassination is but one option among many," another assassin claimed.

Suddenly, the assassins vanished but their voices could still be heard. "You have bigger worries than who we are or what we do. I suggest you hurry to the pedestal where the Sacred Blade is kept."

Sorey looked around for the assassins. "Why are you telling me this?"

"Honor."

"So I guess I should be thanking you for saving us?"

All he received was silence. The assassins were gone. He chuckled feebly as the darkness in the alley faded. The warmth and brightness of the sun returned. He rubbed the side of his neck where the blade once was and sighed in relief. It was only when he heard Mikleo's groaning did that relief fade. "Hey, are you all right?" He ran over to the water seraph just as he regained consciousness.

Mikleo groaned. "Wha... What in the world..."

"Looks like we were saved by an assassins' guild."

This only puzzled him more. "By a...what?"

"They were after Alisha by mistake or something.
They took that fox guy away with them," Sorey explained.

Mikleo's eyes widen when he recalled the battle with the hellion. "Wh-Where's Lumi?!"

Sorey hadn't forgotten the girl and looked behind him to see she was still laying on the ground, unconscious. A melancholic expression appeared on his face. "After you were knocked unconscious, she tried using another spell, but it was too much for her to handle."

Mikleo saw her and scrambled over to her. He saw her pale complexion and how heavy she was breathing. He felt his heart race with worry as he combed a few of her two-toned locks out of her face. He used his magic to provide her with some healing, hoping it would help her. She didn't stir, but her breathing returned to normal. "She needs to rest. Didn't we pass an inn earlier?"

Sorey nodded. "Yeah. Do you want me to carry her or...?"

"No, I'll do it." Mikleo gently scooped her up into his arms. "Besides, other people might think you're weird if they see you carrying nothing."

He laughed feebly. "It really would look weird..."

Mikleo carried Illumia in his arms through the back streets of the Central District. Every few seconds, he would glance down at her to make sure she was still breathing. Even after he healed her, the worry didn't leave him.

They reach the inn and Sorey used what little gald he had on him to buy a room. Mikleo placed Illumia on the bed once inside the small room. He gazed down at her before looking at Sorey. "Did those assassins say anything else?"

"They mentioned the Sacred Blade. But more than that, it looks like Alisha's not out of danger yet."

"Looks like? What's going on?"

"Hey. I don't get it any more than you do." Sorey glanced down at the girl on the bed. "You think she's gonna be okay?"

"She'll be fine. All she needs is some rest. The sooner we deal with this Sacred Blade matter, the sooner we can come back to the inn." Mikleo crossed his arms with a displeased expression. "I'm worried about leaving Lumi here by herself."

"I am too, even though no one else can see her. Are you sure you don't want to stay with her until I get back?"

"If she knew I let you go off on your own, she'd scold me," he said.

Sorey chuckled. "She'd probably scold both of us. Let's hurry to that pedestal so we can deal with this Sacred Blade business before she wakes up."

Mikleo nodded and followed Sorey out of the room. As the door closed, he glanced back at the girl one last time before leaving.