Atomu put both hands on his face, sighing out. "I don't want to kill you."

"Got that out of the way back in Shimori!" Jyuzou put his hands together. "Really?" he gasped, again. "How come you never told us?"

"Turns out half of the people I was friends with either didn't care or already knew. It's complicated, damn it." he clenched his fist. "But another reason as to why I was accused of Bancho's murder. Why would he write that letter in the first place?"

"S-So," Jyuzou said, keeping a safe distance. Chyuuichi eyed him, wondering why Jyuzou didn't even care to acknowledge the earlier dangerous two demons on his left. Alas, they went on with the story. "He knew."

"...and thought I was trouble."

"So Bancho backstabbed you?"

"Turns out, it was a letter meant for the King himself!" Chyuuichi continued. "He figured out its meaning, and we were quickly let go!"

"He offered us a job for the upcoming ceremony." Atomu continued. "That's why we were in the dining hall when we met you."

"Earlier, though, we stumbled into this place." Chyuuichi continued.

"You were kidnapped," Katha added, with Ronpi nodding.

"Who are these two?" Jyuzou asked.

Chyuuichi giggled.

"Not kidnapped, borrowed!" Sandy stepped in. "I saw certain potential through my Demonear friends right here in reaping seed when it was meant to be harvested!" he put his hands on both of their heads. "You're next in line, Morian."

Jyuzou put his hands on his knees, gulping.

"...and then come these two." Atomu pointed. "Katha and Ronpi. They're demons who chased us through Orawood before initiating a showdown with my weapon in Orania."

Ronpi waved, and Katha slapped his hand.

"Demons," Jyuzou repeated, putting his hand on his chin. "MORE DEMONS?!" he yelled out.

"They're good though!" Chyuuichi smiled.

Atomu sat against the wall, breathing out. "Up for debate."

"Even if they wanted to harm you, I just took their seed!" Sandy uttered. "They're too weak."

"I'm not convinced about this seed name, you know?!" Atomu turned.

"We won't harm you, Morian." Ronpi put his hands together. "Trust!"

Atomu huffed, putting his hands on his face, again.

Jyuzou stared at them. Back in Shimori, the simple sight or the idea of a demon struck enough fear into his heart to leave him completely frozen. Two years later, he's sitting with three of them in one room.

He didn't even feel the bad intent in the first place, in all honesty. Or maybe it was the experience of everything else that shaped his view. Besides, he hadn't seen demons in quite a while, so that was a refreshing take.

He gulped, nonetheless.

"What about you, Morian? The island?" Sandy pointed.

Jyuzou fixed his glasses. "Bancho meant to send us there if things were to go haywire. At least, that's what I learned from our mentor." he smiled a little. "It was a little island called Galliath. Have you ever heard?"

"No clue what that is." Chyuuichi confidently smiled, Atomu politely and nervously shook his head, and Sandy sat still, bearing the same beam.

Jyuzou breathed out.

"North of Shimori, east of Harabara." a voice came from the other side of the hallway. Everyone turned, with the silhouette crouching near the doorway and stepping in. "I don't expect anyone except Harans to know, so you're excused." Koyote continued.

"Who is that?" Chyuuichi asked.

"H-How did you find your way inside?" Jyuzou seemed taken aback, blinking a few times.

"There was a hole in the wall separated by a painting. It led me to some prison, and while the guards were patrolling the other area, I snuck out of there."

"There was a hole in the wall?" Atomu asked.

"Yep. That's how we got in as well." Katha continued. "Blindly chased by our friend here."

Sandy waved.

"Oopsie," Chyuuichi muttered, very quietly.

"I noticed you at the end of the hallways so I tailed you from there. I stood here for the past ten minutes and learned A LOT." she raised her voice, as well as her brows.

Atomu glanced around, awkwardly, Ronpi and Katha looked at each other.

"...and as to answer the Mirillian's question, I am the mentor Jyuzou just mentioned. Koyote Kan." she stuck her hand out, and Sandy immediately shook it.

Eventually, she sat down, taking the cross off her back.

Ronpi raised his head. "What is that?"

"My Guardian Demon," she answered.

"EH?!" Atomu raised his voice. "H-How did you carry this in here?"

She scratched her head. "I dunno. The guards near the port didn't think it looked like one. They took away Jyuzou's though."

"Y-Yes..." he continued.

"Dude, that's great!" Chyuuichi raised his voice. "We now have a fighting chance against the demons!" he stood up, clenching both fists.

"What demons?" Jyuzou raised his head.

"Ah, you know, just the army of those... um..." Chyuuichi scratched his head, closing his eyes. "What was their name again?"

"Oh, Wakon." Sandy continued, with a smile, and Katha shook her head.

"Wa..." Jyuzou stopped, his eyes shrinking. "Kon?!" he continued.

"It's one word, I'm pretty sure," Sandy uttered.

Koyote fixed her hat, putting her legs together, sighing. "Never too much rest, eh, Jyuzou?"

Ronpi and Katha stood up, almost as if on edge to explain the details. Koyote leaned back, squinting her eyes.

"The seven of us have a lot of catching up to do." she shook her head. "Jyuzou." she turned to the Morian. "Choose. Either we explain, or it's their turn."

Jyuzou shook his head. "I don't want to have to do either."

***

A day had passed since then, and the rainy one began. It seemed to be a good opportunity for Sebastian to take a day's rest and reconsider the plans of making that strange decision.

He lay in his chamber afterwards, facing the ceiling. After falling asleep and waking up the next day, he stayed inside, vowing to Xard that he needed to think this through with tears in his eyes because he didn't want the same thing to happen again.

Then, tension rose amongst the ranks. How was the King ever going to decide, and where was the damn crown to begin with? Someone like Kania suggested that this shouldn't have been an issue and that things would sort themselves out.

Sebastian wished there was someone out there who'd choose on a whim instead. Alas, he closed his eyes again.

Meanwhile, Kania, as announced yesterday, finally got into wandering around those bars they talked about. Yesterday consisted of the same drinking competition but today was a little different. There was this certain building on the edges of Oldenklow that offered what they called a double service.

Essentially, it was a way for Paladians to meet people for potential dates and whatnot, but to Kania, it was nothing more than an opportunity to find new people to compete with. The Triple Fish (since that was its name) had a lot of these renowned girls, who with the time they spent here built a massive tolerance to handling enormous amounts of alcohol while talking to their clients.

This time, it was Kania who lost, but he didn't seem too bothered, declaring that the next time would mean a sure victory. He crashed into the inn rooms of the bar, the same one where Ranpa immediately went because he didn't feel like sitting and watching all of that unfold. It's not that he outright denied the prospects the bar offered. He thought that maybe in a different universe, it was a great idea to find the other half in your life.

The half in question as of now though, was Kania, lying on the other bed and staring at the ceiling.

"What an amazing woman she is," he uttered, seemingly already on his way to sobering up. "Looks like a million Silver and drinks like a trillion!"

"Quite the strange comparison there." Ranpa put his legs together, looking through his knees.

"You gotta try it, man. Maybe you'll meet someone and stop being the loser you are!" Kania laughed, sitting up on the bed as well.

Ranpa rolled his eyes.

"Not your type of entertainment?" Kania asked. "Or do you not fancy women?"

"Why are we talking about this?"

"I'm pretty open myself, ya know? Harans don't judge love as much as Paladians do!"

Ranpa covered his face, sighing. "When are we getting out of here?"

"Morning. We're sleeping in because it's raining." Kania straightened up, smirking.

Ranpa breathed out, lying on his side, trying to fall asleep. It, of course, wouldn't be possible as of now. It wasn't that Kania made him feel insecure or something. He could even argue that life had been safer since then, but he wished to find himself in his bed instead.

Atop of that, Kania would probably talk about nothing again. This time was different, however. Kania lay down as well, staring at the ceiling.

Kania chuckled. "Maybe it's the alcohol."

"You seem pretty sober," Ranpa uttered.

"Seem is a good word! Anyway, don't take anything I say too personally." he raised his voice. "It's not that I don't like you, Ranpa."

Ranpa turned, with a weird expression on his face.

"It's just that the world was so unfortunate that it pitched us against each other." Kania sighed. "I'm sure that out there exists a version of this big guy like me with his tweep that save each other's asses all the time."

Ranpa looked at him. "Seriously?"

Kania laughed. "A hundred out of a hundred on the seriousness scale!"

If Kania thought he was as powerful as he was, then maybe that strength would allow him to decide to let go. Then again, he was sure that the Haran didn't understand himself. Something was surely on the line that didn't let him snap that rope connecting the two.

Then again, the Paladian could've run, but he was sure he'd find him again. He never tried though, and it wasn't that he fully hated him as well.

"Sorry." Kania giggled again.

All of a sudden, someone knocked on the door.

"Ooh!" Kania immediately shot up. "She agreed!"

"Huh? Agreed on what?" Ranpa gulped.

"Calm your shoulders!" Kania signalled. "I only asked Cecile for a rematch!"

Ranpa sighed. "Seem sober, right? Didn't you already have enough to drink today?"

"It's gonna be fine!" Kania rubbed his hands together, sticking his tongue out before one landed on the doorknob. He closed his eyes, pointing with his hands. "Come on in! Did ya bring the good stuff?" he asked, with full confidence.

"Good stuff?" A rather calm, soothing voice asked. Kania opened his sharp eyes, as his pupils shrank, and Ranpa took a step forward, peeking. "I know I'd find you here of all places, but I wouldn't expect you to make such a bold offering. Alcohol is not necessarily one of the things I enjoy, but if you insist." he smiled. "I may just agree."

Kania took a step back, clearly somewhat distraught. The person marched in, stuffing the chain hook back into a sheath.

"H-Hakate? What are you doing here?"

"I wanted to see you." he continued, bearing the same beam. "Who's this?"

Kania looked around. "Ranpa, could you please step out for a bit?"

"Who's that?"

"A friend of Kania's." Hakate grinned. "Hakate Yak'tun, and you?"

"Y-You heard my name," Ranpa said, putting his hands into his pockets.

"I guess I did." Hakate nodded, stepping out of the doorway. Ranpa slid right past, eyeing the man before the door abruptly shut. "Now, meat and bones," he muttered, turning to the other man.

Kania clenched one fist.

***

With the rain pouring down, the streets were left cold and empty. The few who wandered from the open, cobblestone pathways of Eggre came bearing large protective hoods.

The opera had run a show today, with a cheap ticket to most civilians and a costly one for the Royals. The aristocrats weren't necessarily bothered by the price, simply because of the intrigue in tonight's spectacle. It was a well-known tale, aiming to depict the crowning of the first king of Asmaroth, combined with various songs, regional dances, and a performance from Grusel Pasmon.

After a bit of waiting, everyone took their seats, and the show began. Many of the richer royalty sat on the various balconies at the sides, with candles on the masonry, and red clothing adorning the nearby tables, obviously filled to the brim with food.

The others sat in the large, throne-like chairs in the middle, climbing up a staircase, and offering a great view. The rain kept pouring, now bouncing off the roof, only muffled, perhaps adding to the atmosphere of the whole show.

Everyone was strangely entranced, and a cough would be quickly scolded. Even the actors, trying their best felt the immense pressure, combined with those brisk smiles on their faces. If there was one thing every Royal cared about it was their rich history and rather peculiar backgrounds.

The show was meant to leave a lasting impression on the audience.

"It's just like back then," Lisbeth muttered, watching from one of the emptier balconies, covered with the same clothes as everyone else. "They're dancing, singing, creating this perfect harmony."

Her eyes widened, focusing on Grusel, who stepped flawlessly, seemingly carelessly amongst the set and his accompanying crew. Words flew right into his mouth, soaring to meet his limbs, creating a synchronizing harmony between dance and tunes.

"Demons never dance. Demons strip themselves of any enjoyment that doesn't concern killing one another," she whispered to herself.

She tried replicating Grusel's moves on the stage, but fell with the wrong step, bruising her knee.

"I could never do the things humans can." she dipped her fingers into the wound, before taking some blood out of her own body. "I can't understand trying to be like us, Wakon," she muttered.

The Royals clapped, with another scene finished.

"Alas, though, I think I finally understand, my father." she looked up for a bit, before tracing a triangle, with a line going down the middle. "Why the both of us attempted to do seemingly impossible things."

She stood up, overlooking the opera, once more.