"So you're telling that in the middle of the night, just because you ended up winning a card game, you forced Lass into a dungeon for a...love potion who's existence was solely based on rumors, got into a fight with a giant crystallized Goliath, almost got squashed, found a magical, talking book from the previous era and you came back bleeding head to toe and Anya is now a giant furry with an undisclosed amount of time where she will need to endure this form. Correct?", Ikarisa looked at both Lass and Anya, arms folded with an angry look.

"Uh...yea. I think that's all.", Anya said with her head, ears and tail down.

"What the fu-", Ikarisa was interrupted by Terna.

"That is not to say it was in vain, I mean...a magical talking book with infinite knowledge! That could come in handy, right?"

"Considering how Anya is now almost twice the size she was before and with more fur than a doormat, I'd like to very much burn this thing on the spot.", Ikarisa looked at Terna.

"Wow, the goddess is on a whole other level of pissed.", Yuno whispered at Lass.

"Yea, no kidding. I've never seen her like this before...but given how I woke her up with all this blood...", Lass whispered back.

"God bless...", Ikarisa rubbed her head. "I have such a massive headache..."

"How about we...get going?", Terna proposed.

"My mood for breakfast is completely ruined at this point.", Ikarisa frowned. "Give me this.", she grabbed the car keys from Terna. "No breakfast. Everyone in the car now and I'm driving. We're beam lining to Gardard to make sure stuff like this doesn't happen."

"Uh no offense Risa but your directions...", Lass spoke with a low voice.

"Not anymore! Humanity has evolved into using guns, lasers and having boarder-line flying cars, so a GPS must be a miracle to have inside a super car."

"Can she even drive tho?", Yuno whispered.

"Everyone. Car. Now.", Ikarisa raised the tone of her voice.

No one dared to say another word, as everyone swiftly got into the car. Yuno sat on Terna's head with Terna sitting next to Ikarisa. Lass and Anya both sat in the back seat again, not daring to say a word or start an argument. The drive was rather long and the silence followed it. Only after awhile Terna began to break the silence.

"So uh...Anya. I guess you'll be needing a new look with this form, right?", Terna smiled.

"Uh...I'd rather not talk about it."

"Oh, come on! There's plenty of species out there with this form, Anya! You don't have to be ashamed or anything!"

"It's their form. Not mine. I've been waking up with a different body than this for the past 20 years...how do you think I should feel right now?"

"It's not that big a deal! Really!"

"Name one thing that can possibly come out as positive from this.", Anya folded her arms.

"For one, your tail! Look at just how beautiful and fluffy it is...plus, if I recall correctly, the bigger the tail amongst Wolven, the more they consider one an Alpha!", Terna happily said.

"Uh...not that simple. It takes more than just a fluffy tail to consider someone an "Alpha". And don't you think you're being a little too...primal? No offense, but said rituals date so far back in Wolven culture, I too struggle to remember them."

"I mean, it still doesn't make it any less pretty to look at!"

"You're not gonna get much after that.", Lass said.

"Anya's new assets aside...where to next?", Yuno asked.

"Straight to Gardard! We can't keep slowing down again and again, we have to get going...especially when it means that slowing down can lead to someone getting hurt!", Ikarisa worryingly said.

"At least you've calmed down...", Lass whispered.

A loud growl was then heard from Ikarisa's side.

"Uh...what was that?", Yuno looked around.

The growling persisted.

"Risa...are you hungry, perhaps?", Anya asked.

"A little...", Ikarisa blushed.

"Let's stop for now. The mission is important, but getting everywhere in one piece is also a priority."

Ikarisa sighed. "Fine, fine...let's stop for a bit..."

As Ikarisa stopped the car, everyone got out and started setting up camp. On the small campfire, Lass was making breakfast enough for everyone to eat to their hearts content.

"Alright, this should be enough. Fifteen more minutes on the fire and we should be good to go.", Lass stepped away from the fire.

"So what's for breakfast big guy?"

"Whatever I found in the trunk labeled as eatable. As far as supplies go, we've got the car, the weapons, the weapon maintenance equipment, but no food. Great...", Lass sighed.

"I guess we all a little too overexcited, huh?", Terna giggled.

"I guess so...the market was right next to the city entrance too...", Ikarisa frowned and grabbed her belly.

"This should at least be enough for now...we should be able to find a city or something nearby anyway.", Yuno sat by the fire.

"Well then, I'll chill for a bit. I'm missing a nights sleep anyway.", Anya crashed on a log.

"Alright...Lass, can I talk to you for a bit? Alone..."

"Uh...sure? But what about those two?"

"Don't worry, I'll keep Yuno away from Anya at all costs!", Terna saluted.

"How about you instead keep Anya away from me?", Yuno folded his arms.

"Look, just don't kill each other for five minutes. Let's go Risa."

"Considering that's Lass saying that, it's a miracle.", Ikarisa looked at Yuno and Terna.

Going behind a couple of bushes and trees, Ikarisa turned around to face Lass, him averting his eyes and preparing for a yelling.

"Lass…”

"Look, I know what you're gonna say, and I agree. It was stupid and reckless and we won't do it again."

"That's not it...what...happened?"

"We told you everything, really..."

Ikarisa sighed. "Lass...I know I may be a klutz...I know I may be dumb. Lots of people told me that...a number of times. But what I know for a fact is that such wounds, at least on you, could not have come from a mere Goliath. Crystallized or not. So please, in the name of mine, tell me...who did this to you? And don't try to sway things to make it lighter. I want the raw truth."

"I...fine.", Lass took a deep breath. "Me and Anya weren't the ones to take down the Goliath. There was a sudden resurgence of its strength once we pinned it down for the first time. Anya got knocked out cold and I was preparing to defend her...but then she came along and destroyed the bloody thing in one blow."

"S-She?", Ikarisa’s eyes widened.

"'Enemy' is what she wanted me to call her. Remember the talk back in Kaci? Well...this is it. I was having a number of horrible nightmares ever since I was a kid. I don't know how or why, because I've never told anyone. Anyone but you now that is. All my nightmares had the same figure. 'Enemy's' figure. At first she was just haunting me, but after my dad was killed in a supply run from some monsters, it escalated where she could actively harm me in my dreams, or nightmares I suppose."

"Wait...what? Your...dad?"

"Yeah...anyway, I thought she was literally a figment of my imagination but...I doubt imagination can take down an entire, powered up, Goliath. I'm only telling you this just because of the recent events. Don't go putting it on high blast to everyone, ok?"

"Yes, for sure! You can count on me to keep a secret. Now, about that 'Enemy'...could you describe her to me?"

"Well...a unique looking black armor, black hair, red eyes and a very hostile look on her face. Kind of a baby face, I suppose and a...lance. A huge one, she was able to blast out Obsulyte energy out of it, almost like it was a shotgun. She was extremely powerful, I'll tell you that much. I couldn't touch her at all, because despite the weapon she was holding on, she was nimble and precise as hell. Her defensive game was as good as her offensive one. Even if I tried to land a single hit, it'd either be blocked, parried, or outright evaded."

"O-Oh...she's that...strong?"

"Yea, no kidding. Best I can do until I figure everything out, train with Yuno and finally make my body accept my Obsulyte signature, is pray that we don't run into her again."

"Run into her? Do you mean that..."

"She is obviously actively chasing me. I really don't know why. She kept mentioning I did great harm to her, but I thought she had mistaken me for someone else, because I don't even remember her. Risa...is possible that I...I hurt her for real? Maybe everything we did up till now...or something I did and don't remember? Could it really be that I'm truly the bad guy here?"

"No-no-no, you're not! Otherwise I wouldn't be here! With you...I know you're good, after all this time, evil is the one thing I can sense without fail!", she started to whisper, "If anything I, truly, am the one to blame..."

"I'll see what I'll do, you don't need to worry."

Ikarisa sighed. "I'm always worried."

"And we are all thankful for that...really!", Lass gave a thumbs up to Ikarisa. "But no need to overdo it. Now let's head ba-"

A loud thud was heard from the campsite, accompanied with yelling.

"God dammit...I'm coming there! Don't be long Risa, ok?", Lass rushed back at the camp.

Lass rushed back to the campsite, knowing exactly what scenario he was about to face.

"I'm always worried...for everyone...and especially you two. 'Those deserving of justice and those deserving of misfortune are to be served equally. The only thing thing different may be the time, but whether by your hand or that of fate, all will come full circle.'. So enigmatic at times...but I think I'm beginning to understand what you said really means."

Back at the camp, a distressed Lass was trying to get a hold of the unfolding events.

Lass pushed away Anya with his leg. "Seriously, what the hell did you guys do the five minutes I was gone?!", he pushed away Yuno with his arm.

"We?! He tried to take the food away! You're dead!", Anya menacingly tried to get her hands on Yuno.

"I am just, hungry! Jeez, back off already! And if anyone is to take any food away, it'd be your thieving furry ass.", Yuno cowered back.

"It's partially my fault...I went to check on the food and it all happened so fast...", Terna sighed.

"Since you like shoving your ass into every hole you see, I'll make you a two meter deep one to crawl into!", Anya pressed against Lass's leg.

"For the love of god!", Lass pushed them both away.

"Do we seriously have to mingle with the peasant's affairs? Let them be already.", Mellistar echoed.

Just then, Ikarisa silently emerged and watched them through the bushes, no one realizing her presence from the commotion.

Ikarisa chuckled. "After all this time...they're both still such kids.", she sighed. "They managed to retain some innocence..."

Lass breathed out. "That's over and done with."

"Fast...", Yuno whimpered.

Lass had managed to separate Yuno and Anya from each other by kicking Anya away and slamming Yuno into the ground. Dusting off his hands and turning around, he faced the pot from the makeshift fire, opening it and preparing to serve.

"So, anyone want to start with the food?", Lass approached the pot.

"I'll go!", Terna happily approached.

"Alright, here. More for everyone of course...but one plate each. I can cook, but only with ingredients, not air. After this, we will need a supply run."

Everyone sat down and started to eat, Anya and Yuno eyeing each other, with Anya being ready to step in for the kill.

"Do it and this time I'll kick both your asses.", Lass said calmly, stepping between Anya's and Yuno's line of sight.

"On a different note, wow, this is actually quite good Lass!", Terna dug in.

"Yeah, Lass’s cooking is the best...but unfortunately we will stop at one this time."

"Stop at one?", Yuno asked.

"Oh, back in Reingard, she had almost the entire pot eaten by herself alone. Risa is quite the eater.", Lass answered.

Ikarisa blushed. "L-Lass! Not that many details..."

"Really? And you don't quite look like it Risa! Maybe after the supply run we can have an eating contest. I warn you though, I may just eat more than I drink...should be fun though!", Anya laughed.

"And it shows...", Yuno whispered.

"Did you say anything?", Anya lift her weapon. "U-Uh..."

Anya's weapon almost fell out of her hand, it being too small for the size of her newly acquired palm. And Yuno was quick to answer back to the failed threat.

Yuno laughed. "That's actually precious! Haha!"

Anya blushed. "Shut up, pervert! Fighting will be way more difficult with this now...I'll resort to hand to hand for now I guess.", she sighed.

Everyone finished their food and got up.

"Speaking of weapons, we should probably head for the supplies now and grab you someone more of size. But the question is where...Gardard is way too far to consider it for a days trip, but we can probably reach it by tomorrow if we take the road straight ahead.", Lass took his thinking pose.

"Hmm...no. Considering how overrun everything is that's way too dangerous. Monsters are attacking left and right and without everyone being up to speed with equipment, one attack can be an issue.", Anya said.

"True...but what if I use my healing for it? Mine and Terna's abilities are similar, maybe we can pull through?", Ikarisa suggested.

"Uh...unnecessary pain to be honest...", Terna said.

Yuno sighed. "There...there is a way. You guys ain't gonna like it though."

"I'm open to any suggestions right now.", Lass looked at Yuno.

"Demon capital of Corosta is around these hills.", Yuno pointed out.

"Absolutely no way.", Anya answered.

"I'm agreeing with the mutt. No way.", Lass said.

"Why though? Lass, it doesn't mean because they're demons that they will act like monsters! It's a different deal!"

"I trust your intuition on the species, but given how we had to use demon based auras to bypass the camp defenses in Kaci, it seriously makes me believe that this can be more trouble than what's worth.", Lass said.

"Also, Corosta, like you can see from the name, isn't like Reingard, Gardard and Vardard. The kept their city's name pure, because they never cared to sign the Global Ceasefire Treaty after the Great War. So instead of sharing basic stuff like the laws, trading and all that, it's essentially a different planet. It can be way too unpredictable as well, given...well the demons innate destructive nature.", Anya said.

"But we really need supplies right now and it's not like demons are bad...I've met many before and even though they of course had their destructive nature, they were fine! Plus, it's not like the Global Ceasefire Treaty is a must. Daliesta, Bivokuoch and Tasel are all pretty big cities with respectable roles and haven't signed the treaty!", Terna said.

"This is a plain headache...the reason I agreed to this mission is because I thought we would be playing on familiar grounds. This treaty was only signed by the three major forces that contributed to the war, sure, but need I remind you Corosta still played a major part, and I don't have any sort of mood to start a fight with some meaningless demon rampage. But, right is right so...voting. I vote no.", Lass took the lead.

"I'm with big guy as well. Don't wanna go through another labor camp.", Anya supported Lass.

"Senpai, I'm sorry, but with our situation right now...we need to. Yes."

"With Risa. And it's not like the Shadowers were confirmed to be a subbranch of demons...we simply don't know.", Terna sighed.

"Alright. That's two on two. Yuno, your go. Last vote will determine our next move.", Lass looked at Yuno.

Yuno sighed. "Ha...I was going to say no. Our supplies are low, however, and the way Terna and Ikarisa presented their points sounds...well more valid. I'm afraid I'll have to say yes, despite me not wanting to. I know first hand what can happen, but even though I witnessed what I did at Kaci and had to fight for it, it...really doesn't make Shadowers confirmed volatile demons. There can be some huge merit into going for Corosta as well. With the word of the king of Reingard, we might even be able to enlist their help in stopping Makaro and Kikaro."

Lass sighed. "That settles that then. Despite me not wanting to, a vote's a vote. We will be heading into Corosta for supplies, so I want everyone on high alert. Hopefully this sidestep from our original path won't bite back..."

And so, boarding the car with Terna on the driver's seat, they started to make their way for the demon capital of Corosta, unsure of what they were to face once they had arrived...