Joshua was sipping a cup of whiskey, his thoughts were straying away while he was looking at Brilliant Ash. Trying to make sense of the weapon itself. There was something else that Joshua had to think. Staying in this place, Joshua was keeping his distance from everyone, where the other Venerators were training with each other. Joshua was reading through expected threat analysis. Demons and angels, the kinds that would be present in the spire.

Watching the sprites of his familiars, including the Ancients were preparing a combat strategy plan for all of them. Joshua's thoughts were to Brilliant Ash, just putting oils on it. The blade and its Blade Shift form as Ashen Sirius was as different as night and day.

"Are you thinking a bit too much, Lord?" Raizel asked who was lost in thought.

"Yes... Just why did this blade shift?"

"It is because the Cherry Blossoms are given to every Garden of Thorns and Lord of Thorns as the first weapon they wield. It helps to develop the Garden or Lord of Thorns combat style and once it has been analyzed carefully. It will develop into the weapon of necessity. Normally the weapon will be formed from the Cherry Blossoms. The fact that the blade you were given by the Avatar of Destruction, it was called Nameless and it has combined with the katana that was held by the Noir Dancer proves that the katana is your weapon. The Cherry Blossoms will be returned to the Noir Dancer and it combines to form the Noir Dancer's true pair of blades." Raizel explained, where Joshua glanced over to Klaudia who was checking out her new blades.

"Noir Dancers differ because they do not have documentation or any form of book that is available for them to see. They see something else, they see menus and subtexts. Right now what is also important for you is to understand the role the Noir Dancer has over you. Unlike other combatants, Noir Dancers have always been dancing on the battlefield. They must dance within the jaws of death at all times. If you want me to be honest, there are some organs that are missing from her body. Your price is to relive so many agonies of the past but Noir Dancers... If their HP hits zero, they fall into a state that is known as Hell's Gate. Where their health goes negative. Once it reaches a certain point beyond the negative Health Point. They have to sacrifice something. The price must be paid." Raizel explained as Joshua took a heavy sip of alcohol. Taking a deep breathe as he thought about a lot of things.

That's a lot to take in, it does make sense to why Klaudia just had a grim smile whereever she was.

"Sacrifice Payments. Unlike you whose very weapons are essences of the people who have died. Those that dance the symphony of death must pay the price accordingly. And she has paid a few organs but those that walk the path of death. They dance with the many classes that are bound to them. From the Midnight Walker Assassins, to the Arthurian Knights and Black Light Magicians. There are many that lurks within them. However, she lives a lonely life. For if she falls, she must pay the price. It is not always a form of an organ. It can even be the form of a bond with someone they love or even the memories. The First Lord and the First Noir are a testament to this. The First Noir had forgotten many things about themselves, be it family. Be it lovers or even friends. There are many details that have gone unnoticed within the domain of the First Noir itself. However, the First Lord swore to the First Noir that he will never let the First Noir to fall into the state of sacrificial payments ever again. That was also how the memoir began, with the battle to save the Earth had ended. The First Lord and the First Noir traded weapons and made a pact. The pact being that should there be a day the Lord of Thorns and the Noir Dancer to meet, their weapons will recognize each other. Though, there are many times in history where this has gone unnoticed." Joshua raised his eyebrow at that statement by Raizel, then seeing Klaudia walk on over to him.

"Hi." Joshua greeted as she sat beside him.

"I heard you cleared a black spire yoruself... I'm sorry for hearing that."

"Well, 50 thousand people were caught in a spire and no Venerators were present to help. So there's that. What about yours?"

"The Black Spire appeared during our mission. It changed, I pushed everyone out. I was a healer but everyone else has families. I don't have anyone.. I was more worried about them than myself. I died, then I was put through the trial." Klaudia answered with a weak smile.

"So where is your 'everyone'?" Joshua asked her, she just gave a nod.

"They're all alive, D-ranked Venerators now wanting to train G-Ranks to make sure they don't get into trouble." Klaudia answered, where Joshua passed her a bottle of water.

"Thanks." Klaudia and Joshua did not say much to each other after that, it was just silence. Yet, the silence itself was not awkward. Joshua was loading his magazines for his pistols, shotguns and rifles while Klaudia was doing maintenance on a pistol. A 1911 pistol frame that had the words 'Spellbinder' on it.

"How did you meet your Companions?" Joshua asked.

"I get points depending on what I do. If certain types like me, they will make a request to join me. Was it the same for you?"

"More or less. Some I have to clear a quest to get it." Joshua answered where Klaudia nodded.

"Our fates are intertwined." They both siad it together, where they laughed at each other as a result. There was another 3 days, and the other A ranks were practicing and checking their gear. There was a weapon merchant that was present there, selling his wares. Yet, one of the weapons seemed to be calling out.

"Please... If you hear my voice.." Joshua got up, walking over to see them. Seeing the professional truck with set up for weapons and even more items. There were racks of weapons with powerful sets. The weapons were strong, some of them were comparable to his equipment but at the same time, Joshua could see that the sharpness of the blades was limited to the rank of 'Advanced' which meant that if he went up against any other weapon, it can break. Yet, there was one weapon that caught his attention. The seller was an old man with a black cloak. His face was covered, and despite the professional set up. The others did not seem to be bothered by his equipment.

The one weapon that has caught his attention, was a unique looking revolver.

"Did you hear a voice, young'in?" The cloaked figure spoke to him.

"Yeah.." the cloaked figure chuckled. Then Klaudia came as well.

"Ah, another young'in? Aye... You both be them Lords and Noirs eh? I can't present you with what is in front here. Follow me." Klaudia and Joshua shrugged it off and followed the man into his truck. Only to see it be an alternate dimension instead. The old man was now a dark elf and they were in a forge. The sounds of hammers being struck to the anvils being the harmony. Hearing the people whistling as they worked the hammer.

Where they see a giant standing before them, sitting on a throne made of weapons while smoking a pipe. The giant's face was covered by a helmet and he looked closer at Joshua and Klaudia. Chest that was bare with scars over his body, tanned skin with his hands that was covered in bandages.

"Ah...So you're this generation's Lord of Thorns and Noir Dancer. Welcome to the shop of Bellwitch. I'm the 5th Bellwitch. I've served as the apprentice to the Fourth Bellwitch and has seen at most of your kin. Though it is the first I see both of you here." The giant spoke to them.

"The Shop of Bellwitch only opens to those that are worthy and I reckon you two have met the Avatars haven't you?" Joshua nodded, then seeing Klaudia nod to her.

"Destruction, Fall,Spring,Summer,Winter and War." 5th Bellwitch looked at Joshua, then tapping his pipe to look at Klaudia.

"Death, Souls, Peace and Duels." Klaudia nodded to the giant's words. Despite his figure, the 5th Bellwitch did not seem threatening. Even though his helmet had the horns. The giant spoke softly to them, as if trying to show that he is not a threatening individual.

"Well. I never thought you could find me this early. Then that means your next endeavour will be difficult. Even with your strength. Tell me, why do you fight?" 5th Bellwitch's question had stopped the smiths that worked the anvils. Human, elf, orc, goblin, demon, angel and beastkin.

"Just to survive... Maybe I can stop people from getting hurt but.. Truthfully? I don't know. I just... Want to live comfortably in this life that I have but, I don't want other people to die." Joshua spoke, maybe his answer was childish and messy? Joshua never did have visions of grandeur or fame, he just wanted to survive back when he first came out. Now, he was just following orders and being aimless. Maybe it was not enough but he felt a finger touch his shoulder. It was the 5th Bellwitch's finger.

"There is nothing wrong with such an answer. To live comfortably when you've spent three years in solitude as the lone survivor. To die far too many times. That is part of your plight." The 5th Bellwitch spoke kindly, Joshua felt his heart calm down.

"I fight because... I was weak. I was just a healer, but I can't help people anymore. Who would want to be healed by someone who has been touched by death? Now, I just want to make sure as many Venerators come out alive." Klaudia said.

"Just because you who dance in death, it does not mean that your healing powers are useless. Young Noir. You who deliver death to many foes. It does not mean that you cannot help your allies. You have lost your powers to heal, but it can be granted to your Companions. Lord, may I have your Coat of Crimson? Noir, your Coat of Darkness?" Joshua and Klaudia passed the giant their coat, where they watch it grow to his size and unveiling the cloth over what was supposed to be his table. It was actually his anvil, with yarns of threads and armor pieces floating above the 5th Bellwitch.

"The Coat of Crimson belongs to a 13th Lord of Thorns... It is far too weak in this state. Though it has many adjustments, extra pockets for magazines. Holsters for your pistols and knives. Ammo pouches for your weapons. The Coat of Darkness, though it is a tad bit good for defense, but you have not been able to maintain it well due to the scarcity of the Coat's material.The same goes for your masks and your gauntlets." Joshua and Klaudia did as they were instructed. Watching the 5th Bellwitch smoke the pipe, then puffing the smoke out. Which caused the threads and armor pieces to slot themselves accordingly into the Coat of Crimson and the Coats of Darkness.

The other smiths began to work as they hammered more pieces, and Joshua could see the many people who began to weave the the cloth into thread to layer into the Coat of Crimson and Coat of Darkness. The 5th Bellwitch did not even do anything, staring into the two Coats before his eyes. As they were being strengthened just by the very tap of 5th Bellwitch's pipe.

Another tap, as angels and demons fly to the giant's side.Where the angels held the chalice of water, while the demon's held the chalice of blood. The 5th Bellwitch put the pipe aside, then taking out a staff that had an ornament of a head with two splitting faces. One was that of a weeping angel and the other was a smiling demon. The demons and angels poured the chalice of the ornament itself.

The 5th Bellwitch struck the staff down to the Coat of Crimson and Coat of Darkness.

"Your new masters need you at your best and I the 5th Bellwitch shall ensure that they receive it. So don't you dare limit yourselves because of your master. As the Coat of Crimson and Coat of Darkness. You need to trust them more." The 5th Bellwitch shouted.

Several skills have been transfigured.

Coat of Crimson

The Lord's Coat, it has been given more power thanks to the 5th Bellwitch.

DEF 5000 Special Bonuses

Attack Negation.

Three hit negated every minute

Tearproof.

Good luck tearing this while moving.

Combat Prowess

Increases damage of weapons by 75%.

FOV Indication

Hostile enemies will have a Field Of View indicator and you can see where they are staring at.

Pressence Distortion

Unless in combat, pressence can confuse people to what they see.

Special Storage

Stores up to 50000 items. Items such as ammo and such stacks up to 1000

Burst Gauge

Burst gauge can be channeled to either magic or physical attacks. Amplifies effects of attacks and blast radius. Gains over time, stacks at 10

Fighter's Radiance

Everyone's will see a trail of red when the Lord of Thorns fights in combat.

Duality

Enemies will have an indication if they are Chaotic or Lawful. Familiars with Chaos will do more damage to their Law counterparts and vice versa.

Path system is now unlocked.

"Lord of Thorns. The path system is similar to the Paths that the Noir Dancer walks. Where the Noir Dancer walks the Paths of Dread, Exalted and Damned. Your paths are different. It is the Path of Florescence, Path of Vines and Path of Poisons. The Path of Florescence focuses on your strengths, strengthening your swordsmanship and increasing damage to the enemies. You bloom on the battlefield. Path of Vines is self serving, it increases moral damage and causes your enemies to flee from battles. The last Path.. The Path of Poison, it is the path that lets you fight in losing battles to break free with heightened senses. The Heightened senses may cause an overload to your human senses and staying too long will cause your health to drop but your stamina will stay stagnant. So be sure to choose carefully. The path is unlocked because of the fact you made contact with the Noir Dancer. Noir Dancer, you've gotten access to the Lord of Thorn's Blade. It features the ability to increase your Black Waltz to be at Thorn sharpness. Thorn sharpness is close to the sharpness of the Supreme Being's sharpness and it cannot be broken or chipped." 5th Bellwitch explained with a chuckle.

"Now... To your masks. Lord, your Mask of Thorns seems to have been getting some upgrades. Night vision goggles that are hooked above. Gas mask for handling heavy environments... Now allow me to enhance it.. Further." Joshua gave the Mask. Where the 5th Bellwitch placed a new set of tobacco to his pipe.

"My habitual smoking pipe may seem like it's nothing. It is just part of my character but also part of every Bellwitch. Their habitual habits became the point that developed their powers." The 5th Bellwitch said with a snarl, then banging his chest a bit.

"Are you okay?" Joshua and Klaudia asked together, then they turned to each other. Giggling in front of the giant who laughed at them.

"Of course. Being a Bellwitch. It removes all of my individuality but I am the one who helps forge the weapons of the many unique classes. The voice you heard must have been that old revolver." An iron revolver reached Joshua's hand.

"That revolver is known as the Shattered Throne. It is a revolver that was made by the First Bellwitch as a gift to many legendary figures. If you heard it's voice, then it proves you are worhty.. However, there is only one revolver." Joshua looked at Klaudia who seemed to be curious as she circled the revolver repeatedly.

"She can have it. I've got this." Joshua said, showing Rayland's Unforgiven, where the revolver floated before the 5th Bellwitch.

"Ah... An Unforgiven. The sins he committed were to protect you.. Young one, you are loved by them. For them to go this far. You were their everything." Joshua watched how the Bruce's Courage, Natalie's Prayers, Cass's Regret and Barton's Burden. Sheena's Love and Todd's Tears float to the 5th Bellwitch.

"Your weapons... They are the essences, the feelings and the thoughts of those whom you loved and cherished. Even the horse.." Zephyr appeared behind Joshua, snorting loudly as it rubbed its nose on Joshua's back.

"A Spectral Horse, it suits you Lord of Thorns. Noir Dancer, call for your Companions. Lord... Your Familiars." They all appeared. The 5th Bellwitch put his pipe aside, then leaning closer to the Companions and Familiars.

"The 7th Vizel, may I see your blade?" Vizel looked at Joshua, who nodded to him. Vizel gave his blade to the 5th Bellwitch.

"The Redemption Kai. This was my first weapon that I had worked on as the Apprentice of the 4th Bellwitch and the one that my master had given me to perfect. I see, so it is in the hands of one of her people. The 7th Vizel of Azteris. Do you wish to use this blade?"

"If you will let me. I wish to honour the 9th Lord in the name of my fallen brothers!" Vizel spoke earnestly, the 5th Bellwitch nodded.

"Spoken like a true son of Azteris. The Suicide Division, the Crimson Reavers. Krieg, Alec, Mitchell... Iacus and Donovan. Lugasa... You serve a young lord of thorns. Perhaps the most inexperienced of them all. Do you still wish to do so?" The 5th Bellwitch's question silenced the others. Joshua and Klaudia could only watch as Joshua's Familiars fell to their knees. The air was tense, it was choking most of them of their strength and stamina.

"Yes! I do not care of your stature Giant! Speak ill of my master and I will hack you down myself! Suicide Division! Ready your bayonets!" Commander 151 broke through the immense pressure and readied his saber.

"How dare you, Bellwitch! What is the meaning of this?!" Donovan shouted.

"I've not killed a giant before, but I don't mind killing you just for that remark!" Krieg roared back as he readied his shotguns.

"The Loyalty you have to the 13th is commendable. Joshua Gates. You will be a fine Lord of Thorns. However, you must cast away the doubts you have of your own thoughts. Your familiar's loyalty to you is strong. To withstand my voice in a fraction of its power. Now that is commendable. Joshua, they may not be replacement for your family but even then...They are your brothers and sisters." The 5th Bellwitch spoke as Joshua's face was tearing up.

"It is okay to cry young one. For you've not cried for a long time. For the sadness within you... Will bear a new mark." The 5th Bellwitch said as Joshua started breaking down, crying in front of the 5th Bellwitch. Then the weapons of his family, Zephyr, Sheena and Todd were shaking. They were now being covered in vines that wrap them all up. Joshua watched the mask of thorns bleed black liquid down to the ground.

Mask of Thorns

Lord of Thorns

The 13th Lord's mask which has chosen to bear his sadness.

DEF 5000 Special Bonuses

Thorns Vow (Full Set)

Thorn's Vow decreases damage dealt by enemy attackers by 50% per hit. (Always active)

Cage of Thorns

Intimidation factor increased by 125%. Able to force enemies away from a fight. Not applicable to Venerators

Lord of Thorns

Venerators can be intimidated with this skill. 75% chance of success if enemy morale is high. 100% chance if morale is lowered to a required treshhold. Treshhold depends on levels and equipment.

Bloody Rose(Sovereign Combat Skill)

Killing humans of ill intentions grants bonuses that apply in combat. (Venerators are included) +20% attack speed and halves damage by enemies per 100 kills.

Anti-Theft Skill

Anyone that wears this mask will have their whole body lacerated by thorns until they die.

Appraisal Block

Can only be seen by those who have a higher stat than user.

Demon's Fear

Increases overall damage against demon types. Including human cultists and anything of the demonic.

Demonic equipment cannot harm the Lord, for fear of retaliation by the Lord.

Left Behind

When fighting alone to protect others, the Lord's Speed increases in short burst to protect others.

"The mask is done. Leave your familiars and these weapons here. You both have to venture back to the place where it all started. You must go there with only the weapons you have. The rest of it, I will hold on to myself. Iacus.. I believe you understand what this means don't you?"

"Do you mean... That.... No! No! I will not let you go through with it Giant! You will leave him in pain!" Iacus was normally calm, but this was the first time Joshua watched Iacus be so angry.

"It is not my decision... However, Ice Reaper. The Avatar of Destruction awaits your master's arrival. You must guide him to the Avatar. Young Lord of Thorns. Are you afraid to face against the Avatar of Destruction?" The 5th Bellwitch asked. Joshua clenched his fists.

"Lord, please! It is too soon for you to meet them!" Iacus tried to stop Joshua, only to see Joshua let out a sigh.

"It's fine Iacus... I need to see things through. I'm scared of the Avatar of Destruction but.. I have to try." Joshua said as he left first.

"He's a good one. Trust me, there's a reason for it. I know it may seem stupid.. Bu-" The 5th Bellwitch's voice was silenced, by a figure that walked on over. It was Kael who looked at the others.

"Bellwitch." Kael spoke with a smile.