“I grow weary, yet I never tire. Today I seek, tomorrow I seek, the day after I'll seek. It's in my very nature to do so. The same repetitive action yields me a life of danger, excitement, and the nightmares of Nightmares.”

(«^») Iris Exurrana

8E/438Y/12M/36D 7:33 PM

I was getting anxious about keeping that dealer and Tael locked up with us. The previous day I would study the drawings of the dreadnought and all our notes on it. Almost feverishly. Although there were two very important things missing from those notes.

“I need to know where the dreadnought is going and where Raisa will be.” I looked up from the papers at Yalina.

“Sadly all we could get was structural and routine information. You're going to have to find out those things on your own.”

I sighed, “Fuck okay…”

I assumed this information came from A himself. To get this information I'd need someone who was recently on the dreadnought and knew it well.

“Yalina… can you ask A who exactly put Raisa on the dreadnought? The person behind it all?”

“You'd have to pay him. You know how this works.”

“Here,” I pulled out a small pouch, “Ten grand like always.”

(«^») ???/???/???/??? ??? ???

Chance and I walked to Sanguina’s room, only to find her ready, and walking out her door.

“Oh, oyaneh Chance, Iris.”

“Oyaneh, Sanguina.”

“Oy-oyaneh…” I looked away shyly.

Sanguina gave me a small smile, “How are you Little One?”

I pulled my hands up to my face, covering my mouth while averting my gaze, “Tired… embarrassed to be wearing this…”

“Aww… well I think you look adorable!”

My face flushed, “Th-thank you…”

“Shall we?” Chance gestured to the end of the hallway.

“But of course. I wouldn't want to keep mother waiting.” Sanguina spoke with energy as I just nodded. We continued walking until we got to a large chamber. It was made for assemblies and such. Meetings too but it was meant for the military.

We were the first ones to arrive. Eventually after an hour went by the room filled with our brothers. Mother had 91 children over the years. Chance, Sanguina, and I were the youngest. I was the 91st child, and Chance was the oldest of us three. The rest were all boys.

After everyone was there mother walked in. “I shall make this swift. For reasons that shall stay secret I cannot remain as the Matron. I will be passing over these duties to one of you. To earn the role, prove yourself, in whatever fashion you think best.”

(«^») 8E/438Y/12M/39D 5:59 AM

The past nights were sweet. Nights spent in a simple room with Aurora while simply waiting. The days were just me going over each step of the plan bit by bit and making sure I didn't miss anything. But on the 39th the dream I had before continued and I woke up in the same state as before. Trying to shake it off, I made my way to the washroom as fast as I could.

I didn't like the dream one bit. I didn't like being reminded of that day. I didn't like being reminded of what my family used to be.

And what I did to it.

“Yo.” I said plainly as I walked into the living room.

“Goodmorning. I assume you want this now.” Yalina sipped her tea, and tossed me an envelope.

Without another word I opened it with unsteady hands.

I couldn't find much. I know The Fox People were involved, but I don't know who specifically. However, I do know that the Darkness Gang was heavily involved. They briefly joined forces to help get the framing done right. The Darkness Gang isn't broken up right now, so your best bet is to get the information out of them there in Saela, because The Darkness Gang here in Exana seems to be on the move and I know you’re on a time crunch.

-A

I sighed, “So much work… I think I prefer your temple's bullshit riddles over raiding a prison-dreadnought.” I shot Azrael a glance.

“All riddles are simply problems to be solved. They are complex but every single one has an answer. This is no different.” Azrael said as she sipped her tea with her eyes closed.

“Well, this ‘riddle’ is just as hard and twice as dangerous. I like yours better.” I gave her a hard stare.

“You like the easy way out?”

“If I liked the easy way out I wouldn't be alive right now.”

“Fair point.” She smiled and gave me a glance with one eye, then went back to her usual, silent, eyes closed manner.

“I'll be back. I need to go pay these bastards a visit.”

(«^») 8:33 AM

I kept my casual clothes on, and put on some rimless sunglasses to hide my eyes. I put a cloak over myself to hide my horns, and tail. Quickly, I made my way to the club we visited after finishing Azrael’s trial. It obviously belonged to the Darkness Gang. Anyone who knew anything about the Elemental Gangs would know that in a heartbeat. I walked inside calmly. I stood for a moment, simply listening, and trying to pinpoint where the man Tael met up with was. I heard him order a drink and I noticed him sitting at the bar, alone.

I walked over and sat next to him. “Some Crimson Grass Tea, please.”

The man gave me a look. He was tall, with short black hair and a nicely trimmed beard. He wore an undercoat without the suit coat itself. “Are you foreign or just stupid?” The man looked at me with a hard stare.

“Probably both. Why?”

“Crimson Grass is illegal in Yn Dyr.”

“Don't act like you don't sell it anyway.”

He laughed, “Maybe not so stupid. What's your name?”

“Name’s Ashe.”

“Ashe, huh. What brings you into my club?”

“Boredom. Not much else.”

“Oh? Well, if you're looking for some action the backrooms got you covered. Games and new friends can be found in here.”

I mentally steeled myself for what I was about to do, “I notice you're not married. Care to join me elsewhere?”

He gave me a long, silent stare. “I'm fine, thank you very much.”

Well, fuck. The bartender poured me my drink, and I took a sip. Think, think! Get him alone. Away from the members. “Mind showing me around the city?” I asked calmly.

“I'm not the right person for that.” He stared at me with hard eyes. Fuck. He's getting suspicious. I took a deep breath.

I hooked his barstool with the crook of my foot, and kick it forward, throwing him back. In an instant, I grabbed him by the face and threw him straight into the ground. I then straddled his chest, and shackled his arms and legs to the ground with Darkest Before. Several of the gang members rushed in to help, but I then drove a sword made of darkness through his shoulder, “One more step and he dies.”

The room went still.

“I know you were involved in the framing of Raisa Exurrana as the murderer of the Queen of Alexandria. I plan on breaking her out of the dreadnought she's on right now. Tell me what cell she's in, and the dreadnought’s course and you all walk away with your leader in tact.”

“Gods, fuck! Who the fuck are you?”

I drove a sword into his other shoulder, “No questions, only answers.”

“I don't have answers!”

I drove another sword into him, “Who does?”

“If I told you I'd be a dead man.”

I stared at him for a moment. I then drove nine swords into his right shoulder, severing his arm. He screamed in pain, “If you don't tell me I'll make sure your cycle is Hell in every life I live. A fate worse than mere death. You'd wish you'd taken the bullet because I'll make sure you never live after this.”

The man was breathing heavily, “Tael… Tael would know…”

“Thank you.” I activated Chronostorri and drove eighteen swords straight into h is head, and with the last six seconds I bolted so none of them would have the time to find and follow me back to Yalina’s house.