(Four hours later...)
-Stanford, you asshole...-

I was awakened by Dorrian poking me in the ribs with one of his arrows. I almost punched the fool in the face, but thankfully I was able to reel myself in.

"We're hereee!" he told me in a cheerful, sing-song voice. "You weren't waking up when I poked you with my finger, so I had to use an arrow."

"Fair enough," I grumbled, "Let me wake Luna up. I don't think she'd take kindly to you poking her with an arrow."

Dorrian chuckled, "Yeah, she'd probably kick me in the nuts."

"You know me well, blockhead." Luna mumbled as she cracked one of her eyes open, "So we're in Lowell?"

"Aye." Dorrian replied, "Stanford's outside the carriage right now. He's explaining to the guards why we're here."

"Alright." she began, "What's our first order of business then?"

"First and foremost: we find Mr. Lockwood and figure out just what the hell is going on, and how we can help. We barely know anything about Mareth, the man named Thaleous, or even Soren himself. I know he survived the realm of nightmares and dealt a crippling blow to the demon scum that reside there, but I want to know my allies before I work with them. That way, I can know without a doubt that we can trust Soren and whoever he has with him." I told her.

"That's understandable," The warlock sent telepathically. "I feel the same way, Helix. I know you hate demons with a fiery passion, which is perfectly good in my book. I just want to know that we're on the same page."

I grinned, "Fair enough. Where do you want us to meet?"

"The tavern in this village should suffice." he replied, "You know, I'll just lead you there myself."

After rousing Nova and Analise, we left the carriage to stand before a figure in maroon robes. Nine tails swished around behind him, and the smile on his face was warm and inviting. His eyes however, displayed the tiredness of a man that has endured too much loss in one lifetime. Regardless of that, his pale blue eyes had a fiery spark of defiance in them. Oh, I could tell we'd get along just fine.

He shook my hand, then bowed before Luna, who blushed in response.

"Greetings." He began, "I don't believe I've formerly introduced myself-although, I know you've heard my name. I am Soren Lockwood, chieftain of Lowell and one of the last Imperial Inquisitors left in this realm."

Ben whistled, "Imperial Inquisitor, eh? I thought you were all wiped out in the Dread Decades?"

Soren's smile turned bitter, "We almost were, but a small group of us still remain. Let's move on please: That is a story for another day. Let's go to the local tavern and grab a drink-you all look parched."

Stanford looked at Soren in confusion. "Where the hell did you come from?"

I facepalmed, "Soren, this is Stanford. Stanford, this is Soren Lockwood: The man we'll be working with throughout the duration of this mission." (I made sure to put particular emphasis on the last part of that response.)

My boss nodded to himself, "Ah. Well, it's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Lockwood."

"Please, just Soren." He replied smoothly.

"Alright, fair enough." Stanford mused.

"Please, follow me." Soren continued, "You can ask me your questions when we get a seat in the tavern."

I nodded, mentally doing a headcount to make sure everyone was here: Dorrian, Analise, Luna, Nova, Stanford, and Benjamin. All of them were looking back at me, waiting for what I was going to say.

I grinned, "Let's get something to drink."

Everyone nodded. Nova was currently working on her hand cannon, and a stream of light purple smoke billowed from a panel she had open on the weapon as she walked beside me.

Soren looked at the mechaneer curiously, "What is that? The weapon you're currently working on?"

"Eh?" Nova replied. "Oh, this is my child, but I just call it a hand cannon. This baby excels at blowing the faces off of any demon stupid enough to get close to me."

Soren rose an eyebrow, "Have you tested this...hand cannon on demons yet?"

Nova's smile was more than a little frightening, "Oh, you know it. I tested this bad boy out when my friends and I eliminated that hoard of demons that tried to attack Volhime. I left nothing but ashes after I was done with the assholes that got in my way."

"Aye, she had quite the body count," Analise chimed in, "I'm glad she has an itchy trigger finger. Sometimes, I wonder if Nova's reflexes are faster than mine."

Soren rose his eyebrows, "Interesting. Let's get to the tavern before you catch my attention with any more intriguing facts."

I chuckled, then followed the kitsune as we walked to the tavern, which was aptly named "The Silver Fox."

Entering said tavern, we sat down in a large booth and ordered some food and drink to consume.

"So," I began, looking at the warlock after we sat down and ordered our food, "Tell me what's been happening, what we can do to help, and how deadly your realm is."

Soren held a finger up for 'hold up', "First, tell me your stories. Who each of you are, why you are here, and why you wish to help me."

I rose an eyebrow, "How much information do you want?"

"Not your entire life story-we haven't the time for that." He explained, "I just want to know your names and a little bit about you."

"Alright," I replied, looking at my group, "Everyone okay with this?"

They all pretty much stated one way or another that they didn't mind.

I grinned, "Okay...where to start..."

About an hour later, most of my team had told Soren basic facts about themselves. After Ben finished speaking, only Stanford remained. He was able to answer most of the questions Soren asked him, but seemed to freeze up when Soren asked him this question: "Why exactly are you here?"

Stanford was silent for a few heartbeats before putting a weak smile on his face, "Why am I here? Isn't it obvious? I want to help my boy Helix out. Besides, sitting behind a desk day after day tends to wear down on your psyche. I just wanted to tag along."

Soren nodded to himself, "Ah...there is more though, isn't there?"

Stanford glared at the calm kitsune, "What more is there to talk about?"

"You're looking for...something." Soren mused, "Or rather, someone."

"Stay out of my head," My boss growled, "It's full of fucked up shit that'll ruin your day."

"Why the hostility?" Soren inquired, "I can help you if you are looking for someone in Mareth-are you looking for someone?"

Stanford conceded: His shoulders slumped, and his face showed his resignation, "I'm...not entirely sure. I'd like to think she went to Mareth, but I can't be certain."

Soren looked at him evenly, "Go on."

Everyone looked at Stanford in confusion, but he seemed too engrossed in his thoughts to notice the bewildered glances he was currently receiving.

"Alright...let me start with this question: how many demons have you killed?" Stanford started off.

Soren's smile faded, "Enough."

"Are-." Stanford cut off abruptly. Regaining his composure, he continued his thought: "Are there any passive demons? Individuals that aren't evil and...demon-y?"

Soren nodded, "I have met a few individuals in my time spent in Mareth that fought the corruption in their souls even though they had been physically altered. They retained their humanity and have offered me some assistance in my journeys."

Stanford's face lit up with anticipation and hope: "Have...you encountered a demoness by the name of Evelyn?"

He nodded, and Stanford exhaled deeply, "I have. She was quite an extraordinary person. I was traveling through a forest when I ran into her on accident. She did not move to attack me, even as I drew my blade. When I asked her why she wasn't reacting to me, she told me that she'd rather die than continue living. I was taken aback by her words, so I asked her why she wished to cease existing. She told me that she had left someone behind in Alysia: a soldier-no, a..." Realization dawned on Soren's face, "A Templar."

Stanford was fighting to keep his cool, "Is Evelyn still alive?"

"Yes, she is." Soren assured him, "She asked me if I could remove the darkness from her soul, so I did. I purified her and directed her toward Vastiin, one of the last safe havens in Mareth. Might I ask why you wish to find Evelyn?"

"She's the reason I'm still alive."