Mark was reeling after his conversation with Keith. He had been trying to remember everything that had happened for the last five years. All he could remember were the memories that were implanted in him. It was the same with Jay and Lily. All they remembered is what they were forced to. Natalie asked them regularly in hopes of figuring out who did it to them, but to no avail. Mark could feel the emotional torture he was put through even now. No amount of magical shielded body could stop that attack.

He made it back to his apartment building, picking up Guardian from the front desk and heading toward the elevator. He debated telling Lane about Rylie, but chose not to. Sure, Lane needed help, but he wasn’t going to break a secret over nothing. Especially the secret of his partner’s. They may be Traitors in name, but they weren’t in action.

He tossed and turned throughout the night, dreaming his regular nightly dream. He was trapped back in the pocket dimension. He could feel the agony that played before his eyes. The incredible loneliness that plagued him as his body refused to fight back. Then the light. The pure, cleansing light. Then, he woke up. It’s how it always went. The only thing he could remember besides the feeling was the light.

He pulled on his clothes for the day and made his way back to work. He dropped Guardian off with Hugh, who greeted the old security guard with more enthusiasm than he showed Mark. Before he could walk away, Hugh spoke up.

“How’s it been, Mr. James? Since you’ve been back?” It always shocked Mark how such a deep, dulcet voice could escape the small frame of the centuries old man.

“It’s been alright, Hugh.”

“Come on now, son. You know I know better.”

Mark sighed, “I’m getting there. Trying to focus on the positive. Trying to forget everything else.”

Hugh shook his head, “Focusing on the positive is good, Marcus. But do not forget the negative. You can channel it. It can be used productive as long as it isn’t an obsession. It’ll help you learn and avoid the same problems in the future. Take Guardian here.”

Mark looked at the dog, “What do you mean?”

“He is happy. Content. He feels love, and enjoys every single day,” Hugh said, “But I can guarantee that if he gets the scent of another Splurge, he will be ready. He has learned to avoid them. He knows friend from foe now, and won’t be trick again another time. Just keep that in mind.”

Mark looked from the dog, back to Hugh. The old man was right, as he often is. He smiled, nodded his head, then looked up to see Rylie walking in. She had dyed the red of her hair an icy blue, and smirked at him as he noticed. She pat Guardian’s head, handed Hugh a coffee from a local joint, and the two walked toward the office.

“What was that all about?”

Mark laughed, “Just Hugh laying down some solid life advice.”

“Really?” she said. “I don’t think I’ve ever actually heard him speak.”

“Oh, I highly recommend it. If you mix James Earl Jones and the guy who sings the Grinch song, you’ve got Hugh.” Two laughed at that, making their way toward their desks, where Hanna was already waiting for them. The expression on her face made it very clear to Mark that he wasn’t going to like what she had to say.

“Crap, what is it, Hanna?”

“We have one collective reporting problems with another.”

Rylie spoke up, “Isn’t our whole deal protecting humans? Shouldn’t the collectives be able to handle inner-monster situations?”

“It isn’t that simple, Rylie,” Mark said, “If it can blow up to the point where it could potentially harm people, the other collectives know that they can use that to get us in on it. So, which two is it?”

Hanna cleared her throat, “We have reports that members of Fiend are launching a coordinated attack-“

“Wait, stop,” Mark interrupted. “That makes no sense. Fiend completely give in to their most basic instincts. They don’t plan or coordinate anything.”

“I don’t know if pack mentality or some other thing is doing it, but it’s a regular, ongoing attack. They are teaming up, scouting, and picking their moments. Those reporting have even stated that they haven’t seen any of the Fiend attacking each other.”

“Isn’t that their whole deal?” Rylie said. “They just want to eat and kill, even if it’s just each other. Why would they suddenly start working as a team?”

Hanna smirked, “You’re learning well. That’s our problem, though. There are many more Fiend than any other collective. They only reason they haven’t run rampant across the globe is because they typically work alone. Them joining forces with each other and forming any sort of structure is absolutely dangerous to humanity.”

Mark sighed, “So, where do we come in?”

Hanna looked nervous, “That’s where you’re going to be mad. I want you to go and talk to who reported it. They don’t want to leave the area to better protect their people. They reside at Grandhall.”

Mark groaned, “Piety? Seriously?”

“What’s wrong with Piety?” Rylie asked, “I thought they kept to themselves.”

Mark turned to her, “Sure, unless they want something. Then you bend over backwards doing what you can just for them to still come out the other side acting like they’re better than you. Plus, every member has the exact same power set.”

Hanna spoke up, “All of them have the ability to suppress magic within a certain range. Kind of like what our ritualist to with captures, but more passive. The more of them together, the bigger than range. That’s why they all reside at Grandhall. Both of your powers will be useless while you’re there.”

“Wait,” Rylie said. “Then why are they worried about Fiend getting in?”

“Fiend has no magic,” Mark replied. “Their patron strips away their humanity and leaves them hungry and violent.”

“So, Piety has no way to keep them in line.”

“Correct,” Hanna said, “And that’s where we come in. So, grab you stuff and get over to Grandhall. Take a cab. I can’t teleport you there directly, and doing it outside can leave you open to an attack by Fiend.”

Rylie had already pulled her phone out to get a ride share, while Mark gathered up some basic weapons. Piety wouldn’t resort to violence, but if Fiend crashed in while their powers were suppressed, they would need something to defend themselves with. Hugh waved goodbye to them as the left, and the two made their way to their ride.

“So, what’s your problem with Piety? Like, I get that they come off like snobs, but there’s got to be more than that.”

“There’s really not,” he said. “Jay and I spent weeks there while Jay learned a meditation technique for rituals. Since we were there, I figured I’d help them with various stuff they might need done around Grandhall. They basically treated me as the help. I hate it there.”

Rylie laughed, “There are so few chill patrons out here, and you hate all of them.”

He smirked, “None of them are chill. I can guarantee you that. Even Traitor is pretty wound up. Piety is waiting for something though. There’s no way that they’re just sitting around, worshipping their patron, and not preparing something. Just not sure what it is.”

“That’s a super paranoid way of looking at things, Mark.”

“You say that now, while your flashlight power is keeping you warm. But just wait until we get there. That off switch will change how you see everything.”

The car stopped, and they were left out. Mark watched Rylie take in the sight of Grandhall before he turned his gaze on it himself. Grandhall looked like a mix between a mega church and an old cathedral. All points and angular architecture mixed with modern coloring and steel framed windows. Surrounding it was a wrought iron fence that met in front of them into a tall, ornate gate. He knew that once they passed through it, the emptiness would begin.

A short man walked out down the steps to Grandhall, across the lawn, and to the gate. He looked them both up and down slowly, sighing. His gray ropes were rippling in the wind, and he arched an eyebrow at them.

“Names and business?”

Rylie groaned, and Mark rolled his eyes, “You know who I am, Jack. Let us in.”

Jack smiled softly, “I’m sorry, but I’m not sure we’ve met.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me. I spent weeks here doing all of your labor a few years back.”

“I don’t recall.”

Mark turned to walk off, “Come on, Rylie. These guys can deal with Fiend on their own.”

The gate squeaked open, “Ah, Mark. Sorry. My eyes aren’t how they used to be. And you said Rylie? Good to meet you. Piety will be pleased.”

Mark looked at Rylie who shrugged and the two of them walked through the gate. All at once, the flame that surged inside of Mark puffed out, and he knew he was blind to Traitor in that moment. He watched as the realization hit Rylie and he almost reminded her to breathe as she stopped all motion. Suddenly, she took a deep breath, gave him a weak smirk, and they followed Jack into Grandhall.

Immediately upon entering, they were greeted by a chapel. Based on his experience, Mark knew that the majority of Grandhall were worshiping areas, with only several small rooms for living quarters. Aside from that, there was a hall for eating. Piety took a life of simplicity, needing nothing more than their belief to sustain them.

Approaching them from the main chapel was a woman Mark had known well. She was, for all intents and purposed, the leader of this sect of Piety. Her name was Joselyn. She donned the long, gray robes of Piety, as well as a matching habit. She typically led the congregation in worship and assigned daily tasks and chores.

She smiled at Rylie, and then at Mark, “Mr. James, I’m please to see that reports of your death were misinformed.”

“Less misinformed and more temporary, Joselyn. I’m sorry to hear about your troubles.”

He could feel Rylie staring at the side of his head in confusion but ignored it. Joselyn deserved respect, but never demanded it. Her congregation never picked up on that tact.

“Either way, it is good to see you. And yes, our troubles are at an all-time high. I thank Piety herself every day that we are protected from the majority who would do us harm, but the evil nature of Fiend has allowed him to circumnavigate Her protections.”

He could feel Rylie next to him wanting to speak, but not knowing what to say. He felt bad for her that finesse was off the table, but he knew how to deal with Piety and Joselyn, “Are our reports correct that they’re teaming up and working together?”

She nodded, “Our people watching have even told us that they are leaving each other alone. I’ve seen one kill the other when there were only two, but there are dozens out there, and they don’t even look at each other twice. This is a dangerous time, Mark.”

“Is it your belief that they’re evolving somehow? It’s just not in the nature of Fiend to do this.”

“You are correct. They are meant to wander alone, as we are meant to worship together. Something is controlling them, no doubt about that. Just like any beast, you can tame Fiend.”

“Who would want to do that? And why try to take on Grandhall?” Rylie finally spoke up.

Joselyn smiled at his partner, “Young Guardian. Thank you for coming. I understand that the feeling of having your powers suppressed isn’t comfortable, but you have been very polite regardless. Unlike your partner when he first came here. There are plenty who would want to take control of the Fiend pact. The numbers game and the violence alone could cause mass damage to the world. And as for why they would attack us…”

Mark gasped, “You have Piety’s Staff here?”

Rylie spoke, “What’s the staff do?”

Joselyn’s smile faded, “My dear girl, when Piety chooses her followers, we touch the staff. If it were to be destroyed, our numbers would dwindle as we died.”

Mark let out a long breath, “They’re trying to kill your Patron.”