“You look pretty today, Dignitas,”

“Why, thank you.”

“What’s wrong?” the person asks, getting closer.

“It has been 90 days since Yang’s disappearance. I wonder where she is.”

“I don’t think we should delude ourselves about Yang’s return. She has a temper, sure. However, that’s all she has running for her.”

“Thank you, Elliades. I feel like things are harder without her around.”

“She was like your big sister,” Elliades replies. “She was brilliant, and sometimes lacked tact.”

“I get it.”

“Yang would rather kill weakness than shelter it. I recommend you do the same when it comes to Yang.”

Dignitas crosses her arms. “I don’t think I will. In the case of your interpretation of weakness, that’s mere cowardice. But, thank you, Elliades.”

Elliades taps her right hand off her left shoulder. “I will always admire her, in spirit.”

“Yang is a better warrior than the rogues who refuse to train women. I find it fitting to say that to you, Elliades.” Dignitas sighs. “Let us go and pray that we remain protected by our Divine Mother.”

Elliades looks at her feet. “Alright.”

***

“Father Keynes, why is this man crucified?”

“That’s because he is not God, son.”

“And that’s why we lost our sisters,” interjects a passing man. The boy looks at the man. The latter has a lean profile, with an iron-spiked earring.

“I will ask you to keep your peace, Kamina,” Father Keynes says, in a louder voice.

“I think you are a good man, oldie.” Kamina walks away.

***

Darius produces his badge as a journalist part of the Covenant of the Wise Fool to the head organizer of the protest. “What are your expectations for this protest?” he asks the head organiser.

“I want the Covenant of the Warrior to stop abducting our members to serve as their slaves. I don’t care if they think the orphans we harbor are for free.”

“Okay,” Darius rubs his forehead. “How many of your covenant members went missing within the last six months and how many of them do you suspect were captured by the Covenant of the Warrior.”

“Around 20 of ours members went missing within the last 6 months. All of them were reported to have had close dealings with the Covenant of the Warrior before disappearance. There is no room for fence-sitting. I demand an investigation,” the man says, crossing his arms.

“What do you want this investigation to achieve?”

“I want the people responsible for this grievous misdemeanor to be punished. They will have collateral damage to pay for messing with the Covenant of the Holy Mother.”

“I thought the Covenant of the Holy Mother worked closely with the Covenant of the Warrior. What’s different this time?”

The man considers for a moment. He frees his arms and covers his groin with his hands. “I’ve heard rumors of independent actions taken on the part of some warriors of the Sect of Vigilantes. I can’t say I respect these people. Neither should you.”

“Gratefully noted.” Darius flips a screen to face the head organiser. “Here are the details I took during our conversation. Right away, I will make sure to rally support for your cause. Who should I report to, to continue my investigation?”

“The acting matriarch is at the Shaolin Monastery, west of the city’s town center. I suggest you pay our covenant a visit to learn who you will work with.”

“Right, your matriarch is on a spiritual trip. I will do as you say.”

“That will help me,” the man says, putting his hand at his heart. He redresses himself.