"No, you listen to me! Go in there right now! Don't you dare to look back! Run!", the distant voice echoed.

The cries of fear and despair hastily woke up Lass from his slumber

"Gah!", he hit his head as he jolted up. "God...dammit."

Yuno flew near Lass in a whim, both his tiny arms crossed with an angry look on his face.

"Morning. You at the very least slept...your nightmares where ones of pure annoyance."

"Wait nightmares? How do you..."

"You remember the whole, 'I can see your memories', thing? It's not just limited to memories, but thoughts and of course, dreams or nightmares. And you've been having a nightmare for the entire night! I couldn't even sleep cause of it! To add insult to injury there wasn't even any image...just screams of pain and cries of help! What the hell is up with your head, Lass? You know I can help, right?"

"I...it's probably...dad. His last words that is. I never dreamed of it before but...that day changed everything. And all I can ever look back to is just...'run'. But...what do you mean, 'no image'?"

"Nothing, not a single picture of anything or anyone. Just...voices and screams in a black void. That's all."

"Yea, because the only thing I can remember from that day aside from that, is the blackout that lead me to being treated in the local monastery. And then the news of dad...", Lass shrugged everything off quickly. "Whatever. Not worth mentioning anyway. What's done is done."

"Are you dead serious with what you're saying? You could at least look into it-" Yuno got stopped by a jolly looking Anya.

Rushing in with a smile and excitement in her face, Anya was quick to kick the door open to greet everyone.

Anya kicked the door open. "Good morning everyone!"

"Bleah!", Yuno got squished between the door and the wall. "I don't want to...be squeezed...this way. Anymore..."

"For the love of...", Lass rubbed his head. "I need a painkiller."

"Wow. You seem optimistic today. I would ask what's up but first...come on, we have something to show you!", Anya started to drag Lass out of bed.

"We?", Lass wondered.

"Oh-Just come outside!", Anya moved everyone outside the front door.

The moment Lass set his foot out the door it was almost clear what had happened.

"The only time we get to not sleep inside a tent, but a building in this city and you're treating the door like-You've gotta be kidding me...", Lass stopped at the sight of the "surprise".

"Tada!", Ikarisa, Terna and Anya yelled.

In front of Lass laid a beautiful new, silver car with a closed off roof and freshly smelling of industrial machinery. It's tires trimmed and sporting a glossy black color further supported that it was not just new, but freshly made.

"Are you dead serious? A car? And this smell...it's not just new. It's newly made. Fresh out of the factory. Where the hell did you all manage to get your hands on one? Wasn't there a city wide conflict literally a day ago?"

"Well, yesterday you can say was just the peak of the conflict. No production of any Delt-I mean Eterna City products stopped. That includes everything from all technology available...but the important part!", Terna jumped around the car. "Ultra powered electric car that reaches a max of 250 miles per hour! Fully customizable, with enchanted metal structure, perfect for taking hits from bullets, all the way to explosives and the latest type of Omni Wheels, making it capable of driving even the hardest of roads in Riza, no matter the weather conditions! And I did tell ya we'd get a little upgrade when reaching Eterna city, and if this ain't one, I dunno what is!", Anya showcased the car.

"Don't forget the ability to fit an entire family at once having the biggest and most comfortable space in the current market!", Ikarisa jumped in with Terna.

Lass folded his arms. "Are you trying to describe the car to me, or trying to sell it to me? Urgh...whatever. It's done now. But truth be told, how did you manage to get your hands on one this fast?"

"Well big guy, with the daughter of one of the most famous merchants in the world, plus the idol prodigy who freed an entire city from a civil war overnight, it wasn't that hard.", Anya smiled proudly, patting Terna in the back.

"I would count that as a valid point. Two of them actually...both pretty big.", Yuno promptly caught Lass's words. "Plus with something like this, we can probably get along, instead of a damn horseback!"

"See? Even the little winged pervert agrees!", Anya menacingly glared at Yuno.

"Alright...I'll take it. But car aside, where exactly are said horses?"

"No need to worry! Anya said that she shipped them all back to Reingard with the Stable Care guild."

"Yea...I did.", Anya broke a sweat.

"Anya...", Lass took on a straight face.

"What?! I said I did...", Anya started to fidget with her fingers as she whispered. "I just didn't say in how many pieces..."

"God almighty...how even?", Lass facepalmed.

"Don't sweat it, those news are a true bombshell anyway. But hey, they survived, so I paid the treatment!", Anya gave a thumbs up.

"H-Huh? Lass...what does-", Ikarisa got stopped by Lass.

"N-Nothing! No need to worry...really! Let's just get in the car and go, ok?", Lass pushed Ikarisa in the car.

"Hasn't she technically come across bloodshed already? Not to mention the millennia of experience on the matter-", Yuno got grabbed by Terna.

"Hush! The horses will be fine! That much I can guarantee! Don't bring these news to little ol' Risa, ok? Monsters are one thing...humans and animals are another. Hence why we all agreed to keep her out of bloody sight and out of the fight!", she let Yuno go.

"Don't know when you agreed to it, but I could agree with it as well. The less she gets to see, the better...after all, back in Reingard, she was...", Lass looked at Ikarisa while she drew faces on the car window.

"Lass! You said we would get going! Come on, it's lonely in here!", Ikarisa said with an angry look.

"Hey! No dragging down with bad thoughts now! Everyone in! Terna, you ok with driving?", Anya grabbed and tossed Lass and Yuno in the car.

"What the hell, mutt?!"

"Yea, sure!", Terna took out the keys. "All abort! Let's get going!"

Not before long, both willingly and with force, Lass and Yuno found themselves quickly driving outside the city. Hitting the road they were finally able to relax a bit, given the stressful situations they had gotten themselves into. Not before long, however, tension would rise again.

"What the hell do you mean you don't have enough space, mutt?!", Lass pushed against Anya.

"Triple 'A' treatment here! This female has to get some open air space!", Anya kicked away Lass.

"I call, bull-shit! You wanna go?!", Lass slowly drew his sword.

"Bring it!"

"Hey, stop! Both of you! If I hear one slash, explosion, or rev up of a chainsaw, we're dumping the car and walking on two feet!", Terna yelled.

Everyone paused at the mere sight of Terna yelling, stopping all fighting at once.

"Ah...much better.", Terna relaxed.

"We're still not done by the way.", Lass whispered.

"No! You are, Lass...jeez. Can't you guys find a more calm approach to take care of things?"

"I'm agreeing with the goddess on this one.", Yuno sat down on Ikarisa's head.

"Hmm...I have an idea. So big guy...how good are you with cards?"

"Good enough to kick your ass, that's for sure."

"Ooh. Smack talking already. Alrighty then...Poker. Conditions for the winner and the loser are discussed after. You in?"

"Bring it. And just to make sure, I'm the Dealer."

"Fine by me.", Anya smugged. "Let's get it started."

"Your stereotypical smug won't save you this time, mutt."

And as Anya and Lass indulged themselves into their fierce game of cards, the front seats could finally relax, as conflict seemingly came to a temporary end.

"You know Terna...you handled the situation rather well back there. How so?", Ikarisa wondered.

"Oh that? It's nothing, really. Probably a small freak out of Anya not having enough territory to run over. Wolven people are somewhat territorial like that, especially Alpha like Anya. Could not even be on the person honestly, rather than the instinct."

"An Alpha?", Yuno wondered.

"Yea. Alphas are easy to spot once you get the hand of it. It basically means that their Wolven instincts are more honed than others and I can see that very well in Anya."

"You seem to know a lot on it! That's quite interesting.", Ikarisa said.

"Oh that? It's nothing!", Terna giggled. "You know, before it came that I wanted to be an idol, I was actually a farmer back at my old place. Well farmer-in-training and whatnot. My parents had all sorts of animals in their farm so, conflict between them was a common sight. So I learned how to break them up here and there."

"Wow, really? That's actually quite interesting...from small farmer to idol in the big city? Quite the transformation.", Yuno said.

"Yea, I know right? My parents always used to tell me-", Terna fixed her voice to that of her parents. "'Do what makes you happy in life, no matter what that is. Even if it's overachieving, so long as you feel good reaching for it, go for it!"

"Quite the nice message to give! Your parents must be so proud you made it here!", Ikarisa clapped her hands together.

"I'm sure they are...however I do have to see them in years. After all the big city stuff, plus the takeover from Kagh and that...really haven't talked much. But I'm sure if I were to tell them that instead of growing powered-up crops with my voice, I did so to an entire army of soldiers, they'd be pretty amazed regardless.", Terna winked.

"That's another thing...your duet with Ikarisa was spectacular for sure but...why Ikarisa specifically? Was it because of her powers as a goddess?", Yuno asked.

"That was the main reason, yes. Risa's powers and mine seem to be quite compatible as I realized back at the sewers where you found me. My voice can enhance the powers of others, and Risa’s powers can, for some reason, further boost the effect. So what you saw back there was the combined effort of two beautiful voices in a gathered pace!"

"And what about the other reason?", Ikarisa wondered.

"I knew that the only way to get to mess around with your hair was to invite you on stage with me, so that we can take care of make-up and the outfits...seriously! What kind of bath soap are you using? Or maybe it's a conditioner? Your hair is so nice, silky smooth and glossy...even down at the sewers!"

"Uh...what's a conditioner?", Ikarisa wondered.

"Wha-you don't use any of that?! So it's natural?!"

"I mean, she is the Goddess of Life and all...maybe her powers keep her hair upright like that? I'm not an expert on that department anyway." Yuno said.

"Maybe...also, Yuno. Can you please refer to me exclusively as S-Ikarisa or Risa from now on? I don't really like the "goddess" thing and title...", Ikarisa frowned.

"Uh sure thing Risa."

"Thank you...now I just have to be on high alert for when Lass and Anya get out of hand again."

"Eh, that won't be necessary. Anya essentially challenged Lass into something when they said they where going to play cards. Wolven people usually tend to pipe down a lot after a defeat or loss.", Terna explained.

"Hmm...I see. But how did Wolven people even come to exist in the first place if that's the case, Terna? It's weird...", Ikarisa asked.

Terna blushed. "I-I mean...I do know a very little amount on the subject, based on speculation entirely...they are essentially human-wolf half breeds but...You know what, you can ask Lass's consent first, then I'll tell you everything!", Terna looked away.

"Wha-why do I have to ask Lass for it?! I hate it that everyone treats me as a kid...I'm more than 5.000 years old you know! And right now, I'm even old enough to drink!", Ikarisa angrily said.

"5.000 years of experience but she still is a klutz.", Yuno whispered.

"Uh, aren't you worried that Lass might smack you for that?", Terna asked.

"What? The only two reasons I said it is because, one it's true and two, they're both completely lost into their game of cards.", Yuno pointed at Lass and Anya.

Meanwhile in the back, a fierce battle kept raising the stakes higher and higher, as blow after blow where exchanged and so were the insults...

"You think you have a chance? Give it up already, mutt. Straight."

"Damn...three of a kind. Lucky!", Anya kept her composure. "Now...one final round. Hit me up."

"I'm gonna hit you alright...here.", Lass dealt the cards.

"Raise.", Anya promptly said.

"Raise? This isn't a cash game, mutt."

"Oh, I know. But let's put it like this. The more you 'raise' in this round, the more outlandish the thing the loser has to do. Going up to...thrice, maybe?", Anya smiled evilly.

Lass calmly checked his cards and smiled. "Hah! Check!"

Lass then slowly revealed the Flop.

Lass paused and looked at the cards. "Hmph. Raise!"

"Oh? Feeling lucky again? Guess I'll check then.", Anya laid back.

"Got you now...", Lass revealed the Turn.

Before Lass could say another word, Anya cut in. "Raise."

"What? Is she crazy? She's going all out?", he whispered. "Fine...check."

And finally, Lass revealed the River.

Lass swiftly replied to his action. "Raise! Fourth time! Let's make this worthwhile, mutt!"

Anya paused. "Are you sure? I'll give you a chance to pull back on those words."

Lass paused as well. "W-What? There's no way...no...I won't lose to her like that! It's a bluff!", Lass thought. "I said, raise!", he yelled.

"Alrighty. Check."

And so the hands were laid down.

"Ha! Take this! Same suit. Five to nine. Straight flush of hearts!", Lass smacked his cards on the table. "Checkmate!"

A loud thud could be heard, as the small car table was fiercely smacked by Lass. Anya in the meantime, scarily stood back and watched, as she looked to gracefully accept defeat...

"One and done, mutt. This one is mine.", Lass got stopped by Anya.

Anya started to madly laugh, as she stopped Lass's victorious smug. "Hold it. You see, Big Guy. I'll admit it. It is your lucky day...second strongest hand in the game...however. What does lucky have to do...in front of skill?!"

Lass paused. "What?!"

"While you may be lucky...I have long ago harnessed the ability for 'Counting'. Every move...every card. I could see it all from the very beginning. And now...", Anya gave an evil smile. "I will destroy you with it. Here I go..." Anya fiercely smacked the table. "Ten of spades!"

"No...there's no way...", Lass pulled back.

"(J)uggernaut* of spades!", Anya smacked the table again.

*(Modified Rizian version of Poker.)

"I-Impossible!"

"Fairy (Q)ueen of spades!", Anya smacked the table even harder.

"No...no!"

"Fairy (K)ing of spades...", she calmly slid the card on the table.

"This can't be!"

"Aren't you both over dramatic about a zero risk game of poker?", Mellistar echoed.

"Shut up you! Go back to sleep.", Lass said.

"And finally...to finish this all off...once and for all...", Anya raised her hand, holding a card.

"Curse you, mutt!"

"I'll end everything! Haaya! Ace...of spades!", Anya smashed the table, knocking the car to the side, and breaking the table into bits.

"I...I can't...I...", Lass looked at the table.

"It's over, big guy. Royal...flush.", Anya stood over Lass, smoke coming out of her hand from the force of the impact. "Even your plot armor couldn't save you from me."

"Should I comment on the fact that there's a broken table in a new car which almost toppled us, or the fact that Anya is looking evil as hell right now?", Yuno slowly floated back.

"At this point, farm expertise is out the window. I would honestly let it be.", Terna sighed.

Lass slowly recovered. "I...I lost. Tsk. I admit defeat as to not be a sore loser to you. What do you want?"

Anya evilly smiled again. "Tonight you'll be nothing but my own, obedient pet...", she giggled. "My personal toy."

"Say what?", everyone but Ikarisa said and paused.

While everyone froze in Anya's words, Ikarisa had slowly reached for Terna's gun from the cabinet and pointed it at Anya.

"Risa?!", Terna said in surprise.

Ikarisa smiled politely as she cocked the gun, pointing it upwards. "Yea, what exactly was that, Anya?"

"Wait, what?", Anya snapped back, looking at everyone. "W-Wait! I didn't mean it like that!", she formed an X with both her hands. "I swear! It was a joke! Part of the act! I'm not evil and stuff!"

Ikarisa got rid of the gun quickly. "Oh...I see! My bad!"

Yuno snapped out. "Why did you even think of putting a gun in there...although given our tasks and battles..." he facepalmed.

"Ok, everyone calm down! Let's all...relax. We will get to the campsite before Gardard, and then everything else will follow, ok?", Lass yelled.

And so everyone did as told, calming down and returning to their dormant states.

"Risa can be quite...", Anya said as she lowered her ears.

"Don't even try to analyze that...what's weirder is me starting to like that side of hers...", Lass said.

"What was that?", Ikarisa said.

"N-Nothing godd-I mean Risa!"

And with their gambit over, the team swiftly reached their destination, settling out in the wild.

"You know...for having a car we didn't reach as far as I'd quite hope we did.", Terna sat down.

"We had two idiots in the back who nearly toppled the car on our way here. In my humble opinion, having the car in the first place is a miracle of its own.", Yuno angrily looked at Lass.

"He/She started it!", Lass and Anya said in sync, pointing at each other.

"Ah...Lass and Anya are so hopeless sometimes...", Ikarisa laid on the soft ground. "At least we can try to catch some sleep."

Not saying a word, Lass and Anya distanced themselves from the rest of the group, as they relaxed and started to fall asleep.

"So...what is it that you want for your prize, mutt?"

"I have a little something. You see, normally I wouldn't be allowed to go this far into demon territory, but thanks to this trip it's perfectly possible! And with demon territory...comes demon dungeons!", Anya took out a map.

"Seriously? Huh...I'm down for it.", Lass nodded.

"What, really? No resistance or anything? That's not like you at all!

"No, it really is. My thought process is that if I come with you in this 'dungeon' of yours, you won't have another chance to redeem your prize in another way. Eliminates most of the things you'd make me suffer from, mutt."

"Come on, I'm not that bad!"

"Whatever...let's go. The sooner the better. We both know that if we get caught, especially by Risa...", Lass looked back at the camp.

"Alrighty, let's get going then! It's not that far anyway...should be over there, at that cave looking area.", Anya pointed the way.

"Alright, let's see how this will end...", Lass got up.

"No worries, just follow me!"

The two of them proceeded to quietly make their way and disappear into the dead of night, Lass just wondering where Anya was taking him…