"And you agreed to giving the Serpent Queen refuge?" Asked council member Re-Liam.

Iris Eloclipse sat straight in her chair. She eyed the bold man who sat high on his high podium. Other members of the council sat beside him.

"Yes," The dark-skinned woman said simply.

"Why would you do such a thing Lady Iris?" Questioned councilwoman Berciel. "She is an enemy of the four nations. She may turn on us in an instant."

"That's possible," Iris confessed. "However, with the threat of the Darkness looming somewhere overhead, I don't think she'd risk it. Besides, it was your endeavors that pushed her down that path."

The council members began to murmur amongst themselves. They seem to come to a conclusion moments later.

"This is something that the council shall permit," announced Re-Liam. "We do believe Medusa will be a great asset in humanities defense. As for the matter with Dracula, you will not be allowed to go to his fortress. Instead, you will be overseeing the evaluation of Laviria."

Not believing what she had heard she blinked. "Say again?"

Re-Liam cleared his throat. "We do not know when the Darkness will strike again. The Four Nations will need its strongest and most capable champions. We haven't been in touch with two other holy Knights for over a year and can only assume the worst. We can't risk losing another because of one girl."

Iris stood, her hands on the desk in front of her. She glared at the councilman. The confusion in her eyes was replaced with a fierce fire as she spoke. "You fool." she said coldly.

Some of the Knights in the conference chamber gasp. Van chuckled a bit. It was reckless for even a holy Knight to insult a council member.

Iris knew she was walking on thin ice here but what else could she do?

"Haven't you figured it out yet?" She continued. Now she was talking to the council as a whole. "Surely it must have crossed your minds. The only other Nadire in existence. Daughter of Lilith the Light Keeper. Where do you think Kul has gone? The entire branch was wiped out including Lilith and Eliyah. Yet another child besides Kaden survives. Do the math. Memphis wouldn't have spared her."

The council members whispered amongst themselves.

"She's right, ya know," said Six guns zero, another holy Knight. "I will side with Iris on this. If this girl really is the new Light Keeper, then a rescue team should be put into place to free her from Dracula. Her along with Kaden may be our best chance at surviving what's to come."

Iris turned her head to look at the rose pink-haired woman. She appreciated the support.

The council members murmured to themselves once again before Re-Liam asked, "Even if the young woman is the new Light Keeper, she has not shown signs of knowing the goddess' power. You would risk your life for hers?"

Iris glared at the councilman. "What do you think."

The man cleared his throat again. "Dracula has killed holy Knights before you. Do you honestly think you can defeat him alone?"

"She won't be alone," Van rose to his feet. "I'll aid her."

"Even with the two of you, the chances are slim," expressed Councilwoman Berceil. "The two of you are powerful indeed. More so when you work together but Dracula is a being with immense power, far older and stronger than any of his brothers and sisters."

"Memphis," Aya spoke from behind Iris. Every head in the room had their eyes on the master Knight.

Out of all the names she could have said she chose that one. Her protege never ceased to amaze her.

"Memphis?" expressed another councilwoman. Her face saying, she hadn't quite believed what she'd heard.

"We ran into his protege a while back," Aya's voice was cool and even. "He too was searching for Dracula. I'm guessing on my father's order. Maybe we could convince him to help us."

"You ran into Rygilya Semtek and let him escape?" Another member of the council asked.

"We were on a mission. He aided us. We'd have had a lot more casualties if he hadn't been there."

"That is excusable," Re-Liam started after a brief discussion with his fellow councilmen.

He once again went in to speak in a hushed tone to his fellow council members. They talked among themselves for quite some time.

Iris' palms were sweaty. She hoped this would sway the council in her favor.

"We will grant you the freedom to do as you please Lady Iris. If you cannot locate Memphis then you are to return to aid Laviria's evaluation squad," said Re-Liam. "We will also allow Van and your apprentices to aid you as well as a platoon of divine and master Knights. That is the best we can do."

"Evacuation?" A divine Knight asked.

"This is the course we of the Supreme Council have decided. We will load our underground railways and fill our largest aircrafts with our people. The Order will make sure no one is left behind."

"What's the destination?" Another Knight asked.

The councilman hesitated before answering. "An ancient underground city."

"An underground city?" The knight asked? "Ancient? How ancient are we talking?"

"A few hundred years old," Iris answered. Her and the other holy Knights knew of this city.

Its origins were a mystery.

"This is all you need to know on the matter," Berceil said.

"You all know of the Darkness," Re-Liam said. "But most of you have never faced them. They are extremely powerful beings not from our world. We knew they would return. Queen Ahmeal, Van and Iris have faced off against them and it took everything they had to prevail."

"This is true," Ahmeal said. "Those creatures were fearsome and they only had slaughter on their minds. If you find yourself faced to face with one of their Champions, head the opposite way. Even holy Knights should tread carefully."

"Got it," said, Sir Jericho.

"What of the boy?" inquired Berceil to her fellow council member. "Surely Kaden will not be allowed to leave with Iris?"

"I will keep Kaden under my watch," Iris declared. "He won't fall into enemy hands."

"Have you also factored in Memphis? How can you be sure he won't turn on you?"

"I can't," Iris shrugged. "However, if you chose to confine Kaden, he won't be held hostage. He would find a way to escape. Him being unsupervised would then become the problem."

"We would find sufficient means to restrain him."

"Do you think you could?" Ahmeal raised an eyebrow in question. "Kaden has a tendency to act without thinking."

"If his mind is set on saving his sister then that could complicate things," Chimed Van.

"I very much agree with that," Six Guns Zero added.

More Knights from Laviria murmured in agreement. Kaden was well known for his stubbornness and steadfast resolution which tended to get him in troubling situations.

"So, I say we take our chances and let the young man fight for his sister," Raphiel Stoneheart added. "Regardless of if Memphis betrays us or not, we're pretty much... screwed as the young people say. Aside from that, the mole that sold out Iris and Kariah-Belle is someone high in the Order. We wouldn't want them getting close to Kaden."

The other council members whispered amongst themselves for a good while. "Very well," Berceil finally said. "We will leave him to you seeing as you can keep reigns on him."

"With that the Gathering is concluded," Added Re-Liam. He then banged his gabble, bringing the meeting to an end.

The Knights started to talk amongst themselves as they filed out of the gathering chamber. A few stayed behind.

Iris, Van and Aya headed to the exited. Iris took a moment to pull Aya aside.

She raised a questioning eyebrow at her pupil. "Are you sure? About your father I mean."

Aya nodded. "It was the only way the council would permit us to face Dracula," She stated plainly.

Iris placed a hand on the younger woman's shoulder. "Thank you."

Aya smiled. "Don't thank me master. I too want to bring Kariah-Belle home."

Iris smiled. Her protege had put her feelings aside not only for a greater good but for a dear comrade.

Iris had never been prouder.

She was careful not to let remorse show on her face.

Iris wished she didn't have to hide her true agenda from her.

The two exited the chamber and Iris spotted holy Knight Six Guns chatting with Van, Kaden and the other master Knights.

Kaden beamed at Iris when she and Aya approached. "Thank you, Master Iris, Aya. Himeko told me everything,"

The pink haired woman grinned. Her hands were behind her head and her posture was relaxed. Though she looked at ease, Iris could see her guard was up. It was just like her to not let her guard down even when surrounded by allies.

"If they hadn't stepped up to the plate, the council probably would've kept you as a prisoner," said Van. "I knew these two would come up with something."

"Yeah, now we just need to come up with a way to track down Memphis," Iris said.

Kaden, Kyanè and Monty looked as if they had misheard. Akio was as expressionless as ever.

"Come again?" Kaden said.

"I maaaaay have left that part out," Himeko chuckled shyly.

"If we hadn't recommended Memphis in aiding us, then the council wouldn't have let Iris lead the rescue team," Aya said.

"Uh uh," Kaden put up his arms to form an X. "Not happening. There's no way I'm working with that asshole."

"Kaden," Iris started but was interrupted by Kaden.

"I think you've taken too many blows to the head, master, because you seem to have forgotten that guy wants to kill us," He stated. "What about you Aya? There's no way you're okay with this."

"It was my idea, Kay," Aya confessed.

"They're right," Akio said finally talking. "Even if Memphis is a vile man, it seems he's our best hope if the council isn't giving us more holy Knights."

Himeko nodded. "They aren't. I have my assignment already. Apparently, all divine Knights and higher have been given districts to evacuate and other significant tasks to prepare for the trails ahead. I'm actually surprised they were so lenient."

Kaden closed his eyes, coming to terms with the circumstances. "Fine. I'll go along with this. Still think it's a bad idea."

"When do we head out?" Kyanè said slamming a fist into her palm. "I'm ready to beat up some leeches."

"You will be allowed to accompany us Kyanè," Van said. "However, Akio and Monty are too inexperienced. They will be under a Knight from Vyrmm during the evacuation."

Akio glared at her master. "I wasn't a part of Mae Lu's rescue. I'm not staying behind this time."

"Me either," Monty said. "Kariah-Belle is my comrade too. We sparred almost every day back at the university. We can help master."

Van shook his head. "Sorry. We'll be at Dracula's main fortress. Chances are, there will be too many Vympiri. Numbers aside, they are bound to be mature. You aren't ready yet."

Monty opened his mouth to protest but Kyanè stopped him by grabbing him in a headlock and rubbing her knuckles against his head.

The young man cursed her. "Now, now you two. You know master is right. We can't afford to babysit. The simple truth is you aren't strong enough yet. For now, use your strength where it can be most useful. You live and get stronger so you won't be left behind again."

She let Monty go who rubbed his head glaring but he nodded, so did Akio.

"Does that mean I'm being left behind too?" Lax-Rim approached them from around a crowd of Knights.

Iris nodded to the young man. She knew it would be hard pill for him to swallow. He and Riah had been friends since their days at the orphanage.

Surprisingly he kept his cool. Iris could see the frustration in his eyes. The young man knew his objection would do no good here.

"We'll bring her back," Kaden said not only to Lax-Rim but Akio and Monty as well.

Lax-Rim put up his fist. The two young men fist-bumped, sealing a promise between Knights.

"Kaden!" Barked a feminine voice Iris hadn't heard for quite some time.

A'zaiah and A'liyah Bloodmoon marched over to them.

Something was wrong. The two sisters weren't there usual laid-back selves.

"Well, if it isn't the Bloodmoon sisters," Kaden started, grinning at the two young women who'd he'd done missions with as a rookie. "Haven't seen you two in a whi—"

He was then cut of when A'zaiah grabbed his shirt. "Tell me everything you know about Rygilya Semtek!" She demanded. "Now!"

Kaden looked confused. Iris was as well. Sure, Rygilya was wanted by The Order but for A'zaiah to suddenly ask for information on him out of the blue was strange. She had never troubled herself with the Darkness Tamer before.

"What has happened?" Aya asked looking just as perplexed as Kaden.

"That Darkness Tamer filth killed our master," A'zaiah spat. "We know you were close with him back in our rookie years. Tell us any information you have. Favorite spots, hidden weaknesses, hidden strengths."

To say Iris was stunned was an understatement. The holy Knight knew Rygilya had great potential but it was too soon for him to be able to take on someone like Veridan. It was thirty years to early.

"Speak!" A'zaiah yelled at Kaden.

Kaden remained silent. Iris looked at Kaden sympathetically. It seemed as though Rygilya would continue to trudged down the dark path he set himself on.

Iris knew Kaden long since realized this and the fact would be eating him up.

"Speak or I'll flatten you!" A'zaiah shouted, pulling him closer and hold her fist to his face.

"Pummeling each other would do us little good," Iris decided now would be a good time to intervene. "You won't get anywhere like that. Everything Kaden knows about Rygilya has already been sent to the intelligence bureau."

A'zaiah looked to her. She looked as though she would break down in tears. It wasn't until A'liyah placed a hand on her shoulder that she released Kaden.

"She's right Zi. We won't get anywhere like this. It's not as if Kaden did anything wrong. Besides, we can't worry about Rygilya right now, we have to meet our platoon leader for the evac assignment."

A'zaiah backed off. She turned away to leave but stopped. "Sorry," She murmured before walking away.

A'liyah bowed to Iris. "I'll apologize once again on behalf of my sister. It's been a rough couple of days for us both."

"It's fine A'li," Iris said giving her a kind smile. "You have my condolences."

"Thank you, Lady Iris,," said the brown-skinned girl returning the smile. The young woman left after her sister.

Iris noticed Aya watching Kaden. Probably wondering the same thing she was.

Kaden, what will you do about your rival?

It had been later the same day when Iris was packed and ready to head out. After his last hideout was raided a few years back, he had fled to a new location. Now his whereabouts were once again a mystery.

That was until yesterday night. Jaheb had rode into the capital after word reached the Underground about the return of the Darkness. Iris had spoken to the elderly man about Memphis' location. Surprisingly, the man had heard rumors of seeing him apprentice entering and leaving the Blood Black Forest located outside of Zyran's borders. Iris decided she'd follow this lead since she had no others.

"Are you set?" Van asked leaning against the doorway to her room. A traveling bag strapped around his shoulder.

Iris turned and bobbed her head. She threw her traveling bag over her shoulder and walked towards the door. Van stood in her way, his eyes seemingly bored into her. She knew what he was thinking.

The two didn't need a Nurolink to read each other's minds.

"He's the only choice left to us," Iris said finally after a moment of silence.

"Maybe we could convince Medusa to join us," Van debated. "Or try convincing the council once more to give us another holy Knight."

"Medusa is powerful but she's not as battle-hardened as Memphis," Iris smiled softly to her longtime friend. She placed a hand on his cheek and rubbed her thumb against the scar that sat there. "I'm lucky they gave me you to work with. We both know the council is right. They'll need all the able-bodies they can get."

Van grunted his submission. Iris knew he was only concerned for both her and Aya. Memphis had betrayed both of them. He didn't want them to risk facing the same thing by the same man.

"Master," Kyanè said from behind him. She was dressed in the traditional Laveil shinobi garb complimented her dark clothing. "Kaden and Aya are waiting in the hanger. We're itching to get going."

Van looked at Iris. "Lively students we have."

Iris chuckled. "Ya aren't lying there. I think we may have bitten off more than we can chew."

"I'll say," Kyanè said with a grin as she led the way to the hanger where the rescue team waited.