The city of Staus held the Labyrinth of Death every May. True to it's name, no one has been able to accomplish so far. However, now there was only one city of many right now. When the company arrived, they were given both a horse and a cart from a stable. Then they headed for the town of Farma.

Something was not right and they gradually began to notice it. Alto went forward and targeted a point with his thumb. Stopped after five minutes of marching.
"Something is wrong, Alto?" Rachel asked.
"Didn't you notice something? We have been going for hours, but as if we rolled the same circle. The sun does not move, and the terrain also seems to be static."
They all got out and looked around.
"You're right, Alto darling. You are a genius." Vermeil said and hugged him.
"I know, everybody call me this."
"Genius?"
"Nope. Alto. The good question is, what's causing it?"
"Maybe it's an illusion spell?"
"Yeah, but it takes a lot of manna and concentration."
"Then obviously they're using amplifying crystals." Neider said.
"Fair enough. Since it not only conveys it, but amplifies it true to its name, it does not even have to be close. However, cracking it promises to be a harder nut to crack. Vermeil, if you may, please."
At his call, Vermeil picked him up and started kissing.
"This is not a good time to practice the Kama Sutra, isn't it?" Dan asked, and she showed him her middle finger. Lilia was also confused, while Neider smiled.
"Alto's power has increased tenfold. Vermeil used to take Manna with a long, french kiss, which her organism multiplies. If the situation needed, she can give it back to Alto in a way that's more than what she took. A normal human would die from this procedure, but as we have heard, he is anything but not normal."
After their long kiss, Alto got down on his knees and put his hands on the floor. A huge circle of magic appeared on the ground, which grew. The illusion began to disappear slowly, the sun moved faster and eventually heard four fractures. He stood up at the end.
"The spell is broken. In essence, there were four hidden areas of the strengthening crystals. Whoever wanted to slow down our journey, it hasn't been here for a long time. We need to hurry."
"I agree. Let's move." Rachel said with a smile.

They must have spent a lot of time marching, because it was starting to get dark. They were about to set a camp when they noticed a huge building next to the road. In front of them was an old lady alone with sitting in a rocking chair. They stopped the wagon, which she noticed.
"Welcome, younglings! Would you like to stay in my humble little hotel?"
"Good evening, dear old lady. How much would it cost?" Neider ask.
"Ten gold per room." she replied. "In return you can get dinner and free bath."
Rachel was very suspicious of the answer. It's a big building and it's too cheap. Such places usually cost thirty gold per room. Nevertheless, they had no choice, because she hates sleeping on the ground.
"Of course, we accept."
"Then get out with your belongings and follow me. I show your rooms."
The team took their stuff out of the wagon and followed the old lady. Arriving at the rooms, they saw that there was no one else besides them. As if the old lady had read into their thoughts, she replied.
"This place is between Staus and Farma. The reason it's so cheap is because it's mostly off-season. Only the Labyrinth of Death event has a full house."
This was a more or less realistic response. After they put their stuff down and paid for the accommodation, they went down to dinner. There were plenty of delicious food and drinks. During the meal, they raffled off which one could not take a bath first. Since vermeil finished first, the women had the upper hand. That's when bizarre things began.

Vermeil undressed naked and immersed in the hot water. She wondered why there was natural source water here. Anyway, surely solved somehow. After three minute, the door opened.
"Ah! Good to..."
She looked back and literally shocked. It was a nun, who raised her. Her body pierced, rope traces around her neck and her eyes damaged as if something acid were hit her.
"Sister! How can..."
"See what you've done to us? Because of your existence, I and your brothers and sister all died."
"This is not true! It was the mob, who did this!"
"LIE! You're just a filthy demon whose existence brings a threat to everyone! You should have died not us! But no problem because I will do it now!"
The Sister caught Vermeil's neck and began to strangle her. She could feel the grip of her tight fingers and the darkening of the world. Then a soft but anxious voice sounded.
"Vermeil! Vermeil! Vermeil!"
She woke up slowly. It's alto. He wakes her up in a panic. She opened her eyes and began to cough water.
"Thank goodness! Are you okay? What happened?"
"I must have had a bad dream." She muttered still dazed.
"You fell into the pool and almost drowned!"
That's when she realized that she was in a pool. But why did she fall asleep? How did she fall asleep? What happened to her?
"You were attacked? I don't see any damage on you."
"You're sweet Alto that you're worried about me, but I'm fine. I just fell asleep and had a bad dream. Go back to our room." Vermeil said and she getting up. Lilia and Rachel arrived naked.
"Alto Goldfield! You want to voyeur us, didn't you?!"
"Lilia! I don't think he was voyeur, because he wouldn't have barged in here. He must have had a reason to run like that. Regardless, I'm asking you to leave." Rachel said, aiming at him. He just left without a sound. There's something wrong with this place. But what?

After bathing, everyone went to sleep. Vermeil and Alto lay on each other after a long private training.
"I think this place is not right." Alto whispered, as Vermeil sucked his neck.
"You must only see horrors. This place is empty. And the old lady is not an opponent for any of us. So the second round can come but now I will be below."
Meanwhile, Lilia also put her head down. She would have just fallen asleep when the door opened. Looking to the side saw Vermeil.
"What do you want in the middle of the night?" She asked calmly, and she felt that a series of claws were nailed to her throat.
"I told you clearly, didn't I? Alto is mine. But you obviously don't understand the nice word." Vermeil whispered threateningly.
"What are you talking about? We have already agreed that yours and that will remain, right? Then..."
"Apparently I have to kill you."
She felt a single lump in her throat and felt herself choking in her blood. That's when she got up in her bed. She could almost still feel the stabbing pain. But why? No one was around him. Somebody attacked her? Or was it just a dream? It was then that she noticed that her arm was sore and that the colour of the sheet was bloody. She walked to the nearest source of water, where she washed her arms. Here she already saw what was something scratched in her arm. Dream Eater! She couldn't get things done when she heard Rachel's scream. Rushed into her room, she saw Neider holding between his arms.
"What the hell happened?"
"I don't know, but she started screaming in her sleep." Neider answered. She opened her eyes.
"Where am I?"
"Relax, now in sure hands."
"That's not the point. Did you have a bad dream?"
"No... I don't... Am I sleeping?"
This whole thing is really bizarre. Then there was a shot outside.

Daniel was not inside the building. For some reason, he didn't feel safe inside. He went out to the chariot and wanted to sleep there. The old lady came out then.
"Is there something wrong, Mr. Harrison?"
"How do you know my name?" he asked suspiciously.
"It's not appropriate to answer a question with another question. From the guestbook that I asked you to sign."
"I see. Can you tell all the names?"
"Alto Goldfield, Vermeil, Neider, Rachel Alucard the 3rd, Lillia Kudelfate és Daniel Harris."
Dan took out his gun and pointed it at her. He took out the guestbook with his other hand.
"Gotcha! Because if you were telling the truth, you should have listed the following names. Alfred Goodfied, Morrigan, Schneider, Raffael Aldo the 4th, Liliom Kurtenfaken és Harrison Ford. So, you're not a hotel owner, but one of Hell's Assassins. So, it's time to show your card, because bluffing won't get you around my bullets."
Then the old woman smiled and her horns and tail came up. The old lady was actually a demon.
"Then call your friends and I'll meet you at the amphitheatre. There's more to this than you think."
That's why they heard the shot inside. Daniel fired into the air by the time the rest of the upstairs rooms looked out.
"Guys! I grabbed our little hotel owner red handed! Come down to the amphitheatre!

When they came down, they saw the old lady sitting on the podium drinking a glass of wine. When she put down the glass, she spoke.
"I'm sorry to misled you. My name is Gerimia."
"The Demon of Dreams?" Neider asked with surprised voice. "I haven't heard of you in centuries."
"Yes. everyone thought I was dead. although, at the moment I have only hours left."
"Then why did you take this order?"Alto asked in total embarrassment.
"My answer is simple, young man. When I found out who the targets were, there was only one goal floating in my eyes. Help them to get over the past."
"Then it's the whole building, the food and the bath..."
"They're real, no doubt about it. When I wanted to disappear, I opened a hotel. But the point is, in this room, the three of you have to go beyond the past."
"Who would they be?" Dan asked, while he's pointing his gun at Gerimia.
"Vermeil, Lilia and Rachel. You haven't gone beyond some points of your past."
"How can you be so sure?" Vermeil asked, and Lilia showed her wounded arm. Neider looked at her.
"Dream Eater!" he cried out. alto only scratched his head in bewilderment, but soon received the explanation. "This demonic spell can enter anyone's heads and find memories they haven't overpowered themselves. This can put pressure on the delinquent to commit suicide."
"Straight to the point." Gerimia continued. "In essence, I could have killed two and put one in a deep coma. However, as I have already said, this is not my plan."
"Wait a minute. Vermeil's step over her past." Alto said.
"Honey, you are wrong. It's true that you forgave me, but it never worked out for me." Vermeil replied, dismayed, but was determined not to miss the opportunity that should not be given back.
"What about Lilia?" Dan asked, while he put down the gun.
"I still can't accept that Vermeil had taken away Alto from me. I am afraid that one day will cause my death."
"But we discussed and closed it. You stay my sister and never try love again." Alto said as an objection.
"True, but you can never understand women. I may currently accept the situation but it will not stay forever."
"As for Rachel..."
"I would like to make a confession, Neider." Rachel whispered and grabbed his hand."Because of my Half-Blood, my father and mother disowned me, and my brother was named heir to the family. I could never process that"
The reason seemed completely logical. Gerimia continued what she had to say.
"If you have gone beyond your worst nightmares, I am willing to tell as much as I can."
"I don't understand something. Why do they have to get over the past?"
"Your enemies can hurt you not only in a physical sense. She can see into your mind and torture you with it until you submit to her. That are now overwhelmed is the protection that weaken its influence."
From that point on, they had no more questions. Alto showed Vermeil, that she could rest her head on his lap. Neider did the same thing to Rachel. Lilia looked at Dan with hope.
"Don't expect me to..."
"Please. I don't want to lie alone."
"I understand you, but we're not a couple."
"Don't be so stiff, puppy." Vermeil said when she put her head on alto's lap and took his hand."Otherwise..."
"Okay, you win. I can make an exception."
Lilia smiled and placed her head on Dan's lap and took his hand. He wanted to pull it away, but that doesn't work.
"The horse dick has an end! So, let it go!"
"She won't do that until dhe's done with the dream." Neider told the truth. The magic circles appeared in Gerimia's hands, and a sweet fragrance filled the amphitheatre. Vermeil, Lilia and Rachel closed their eyes. The real trial for them has begun.

Vermeil didn't even realize she had fallen asleep. All she saw was everyone disappear from their sight and the Sister, who had once raised her as her own child stood before her wounded. She was surrounded by one stepsister and two stepbrothers. Only now did she notice that all their wounds were leaking blood.
"Do you see what you've done to us, vermeil? We all paid the price for taking you in. You really deserve your name. The destroyer of humanity!"
"It's true that I can't undo what happened to you. It's also true that you died instead of me. But I can't thank you enough for taking me in." Vermeil said and hugged them. "When I saw what they had done to you, I wished I had died. I killed an entire city for the execution of four people, which is really not forgiven. However, today this situation has changed. My partner and I are fighting to prevent this from happening to you again! Not a single day goes by that I don't think about you and I'm really sorry."
Vermeil began to cry at the end of her sentence. Everyone returned the embrace. Miraculously, the redemption was successful as all their wounds healed and the rope traces on the neck also disappeared.
"Vermeil, you little silly demon. Didn't you know that worrying about the dead is superfluous because your live ones always have in eyes? We're in a better place. We can see what you got from there. You have made friends, your beloved master, last but not last... a loving man who keeps hearing your words, cares for you and even gives you his life. I am proud of you, Vermeil."
With that the Sister and her brothers and sister disappeared and she woke up. She saw Alto wiping away her tears. There was the first successful overcoming of the past, which was immediately celebrated with a kiss.

Lilia found herself in a similar situation, just at the male dorm of the Ortigia Academy. In front of her eyes, she saw Alto and Vermeil smoothly and passionately kissed, but they stopped when she was noticed. Their bodies showered with coldness and dislike.
"See, Lilia I was right! Alto is mine and mine alone! You will never taste his kiss, especially not his..."
"Leave it. She will never realize that she has already lost this war. Only death can be the perfect message for her." Alto ended his sentence with laugh.
"You're wrong. I get it, and I don't want to stand in your way anymore. I mean, Alto is the only family member I have left alive. While you Vermeil is my best friend I don't care if she's a demon or a human. Ever since you are together, you have experienced the ups and downs and the bond between you every time get stronger. Other goals already float in front of my eyes. I am also part of Golden Wind because I fully agree with it. If I have to look at the death, I will feel free to do so."
Lilia knelt down after her rhetoric and waited for her to be killed. But the aura changed. She felt Alto's hand on her head and Vermeil's hand on her shoulder.
"You see things well, my sister."
"You're the best girlfriend I could ever have. You were the first person besides Alto to accept me and help me."
"Also, you will get stronger. I am grateful for following our goals. That's why we keep our backs for you."
The three embraced and ended her trial. When she woke up, Dan looked at her face.
"Are you finished? Then jump off my lap!"
"Don't rush it, puppy." Vermeil said with a smiling.
"You smell so good. Lemon and pine. I washed my dog with this." Lillia whispered.
"Okay. Children's Day is over. You can get off my lap."
Dan jumped up gently. Lilia did not give up, and hugged him.
"Thank you. You are the best."
"I know." said he and pat her head. Only Rachel left.

After falling asleep, Rachel was again at the gates of her old mansion. Before her, her mother, father and brother looked at her with disdainful eyes. She became dhanpir, because of her father, as he made her mother pregnant while still human. Her brother Ramiel, on the other hand, was a pure-blooded vampire.
"You are the weakest in our family. You don't even have the strength to have an otherworldly familiar on your side." her father said, who was called Sylas. It was so scary that even vampires did not dare to say his name.
"It's pathetic that my uterus has grown such a junk for 9 months. Ramiel is ten year younger than you, but he is now considered the most talented student."
"That's right." Ramiel laughed and pulled his sword. "However, your exile is worth little to me. The best thing would be if I were to execute you now. So the Alucard family wouldn't have such a shame spot that I would have to wash clean. What do you say... mother and father?"
"Do it." they said at the same time. Ramiel was about to stab her, but Rachel caught the blade.
"I've never been weak, as you might imagine. I was just not in the right place looking for the strength that drives me. Neider told me when he was trained me, that the true power resides in the heart of everyone."
"What?" they asked.
"I couldn't understand it at first, but now I can see clearly. The only thing holding me back was me. I kept describing my abilities as weak and useless when all I needed to do was restore my self-confidence. But this happened. Ever since I met Alto and Vermeil, I have believed in my familiar. They were weak too, but I don't know a stronger couple right now. When they hold hands, hug, kiss, it's like holding the world together and motivating me to be a link of their strength. That's right! I am strong from myself, but with them I am even stronger."
Rachel then pushed the sword and fired a huge fireball at the creatures that shaped her brother and her parents. With this, she also fulfilled her task. When she woke up, she felt Neider's hands on her face. He kissed her almost immediately. Gerimia bowed before them.
"Congratulations to you. You have successfully overcome your past."

Gerimia no longer cared about etiquette. She opened a huge bottle of sake and drank in it.
"As I promised, I will tell you some important information. The name of the one who hunts the demons and gathers the Platinum Ranks is called... Odio."
"Odio?!" Neider and Vermeil asked.
"You know him?" Dan asked. Never heard of the name. Which in turn his surprised, Alto respond.
"According to legends, Odio is an entity of embodied hatred and anger. He uses demons as hosts because that's where he's most powerful. He was defeated around 1700, but did not die. Unlike what is described in history. It was the only time, when humans and demons made an alliance."
"The alliance is a strong exaggeration. We just committed because High Priestsess Fatema asked for us." said Vermeil with bitter tone.
"If not for that, Odio is a huge threat to the entire Earth. He unleashes the seeds of hatred and despair to grow into limitless power. Enough to drink his blood with someone and immediately flood the hate and anger."
Alto remembered what Obsidian did.
"Then the drug that gave Vermeil... was Odio's blood?"
"Yes. Iolite commissioned your former teacher to breed Odio's followers." Gerimia said and take another sip of the sake. "Before you ask, he's probably hiding from Odio in Farma city. Since he had no seal, and neither did I, he was afraid of the master's wrath."
"Well, he can be afraid of me too now." The thought ran through Alto's mind and he snarled. Vermeil hugged.
"It's okay, honey. Calm down." She whispered and hugged him.
"And who are your two accomplices?" Neider asked.
"One of them is called the puppet master and uses puppets. true of its name. The other one is a vampire with a special sword. I haven't talked to them so much, but I know about him that he is driven by different goals than me or anyone else."
"I see. What do you know about Odio?"
"He wants to hide his past."
"We knew that about... Oersted, didn't we?" Dan asked.
"The two name are the same. Oersted is the host of Odio. Because of this, he wants to erase all memories of her past. For in it lies the key to its downfall."
"Whoever knows his past has victory in his hands." Rachel recalled Iolite's last word.
"All this is nice and good, but where are Oersted's memories?" Vermeil asked.
"You're wearing in you neck."
Then she took a closer look at the necklace, that Elena gave her. There were two sockets in it. Gerimia took the ornament out of her hair clip and threw it at Alto. He grabbed it and put it in one of the sockets, which made it up and the motif changed. There is only one crystal left left.

Gerimia slowly finised her drink.
"Congratulations to you young ones. Your generation is much smarter and more resourceful, which gives us hope that this world will be a better place. I'm 995 years old, and I've been running from the consequences of my own choices. I've never been as brave as you. However, I warn you about one thing. One of you is beginning to be surrounded by Odio's rage. And that..."
Then the bottle fell out of Gerimia's hand. Neider carefully approached her and touch her neck.
"No pulse. She died."
"I will help you bury her." Rachel said. The company went out in silence to the back of the building, where they dug the tomb and buried the demon who helped them. However, they did not understand who she was referring to, when she said that someone was being approached by Odio's anger. Alto has not said a single word about his feelings at the moment. By the time they were done, the sun was up. After a while they got into the carriage and headed for the town of Farma. They had no idea that this information would not be a walk in the park.