Akio Stoneheart was heartbroken. Her beloved Lax-Rim had died. She still couldn't fathom it. She woke up many times from dreams of Lax-Rim. She would stay up crying until Kariah-Belle soothed her to sleep.

The Stoneheart was certain the other woman was hurting to. She would often times have her tantrums. Akio knew she was trying her very best to stay strong for her sake but she had known Lax-Rim like a brother.

The emerald-haired woman had to admit, she didn't know how she hadn't entered the Fallen Place already. The hate she felt wasn't towards Kariah's brother who accidently killed Lax, but for her own fate.

First her mother, then her father and siblings, and now the man she wanted to spend forever with.

She stopped walking to look at Kariah-Belle. She felt pain watching the caramel skinned woman. The thought of losing her was devastating.

Akio's face was cool when she asked. "You won't leave me will you?"

The Nadire's face showed sympathy and compassion. "Of course not."

Akio shed a tear. She would be bawling if not for the mental block on her emotions.

She held out her pinky. "Pinky swear?"

Kariah-Belle began crying. She held out her pinky too. "Pinky swear."

Akio forced a smile having being cheered up a bit.

The curly-haired woman smiled back. The two began walking again. Akio didn't let go of Ri's pinky until they stopped at a weapons smith.

"Hello," said the Nadire. "We'd like to enchant our gear. Got any cool mana boosting tech or rune stones?

"Of course young lady. What branch are you from?" Asked the shop owner, a bald man.

"I'm Nadire, she's Stoneheart." Ri gestured to her.

The shop owners eyes grew wide. "The last Nadire and a Stoneheart. I'm honored to have such capable knights at my shop. My names Laou- Zen."

Akio knew that name.

"Tell me Stoneheart, do know Rexilious Stoneheart."

Akio nodded. "My father."

"He saved my family." The mans face said he went back in time to the moment. "We would've died that day if he hadn't shown up. A group of Vympiri were hunting me for my life force. I led the to my home and didn't know it until it was too late. He happened to be near by hunting a dangerous a artifact."

The pale skinned woman knew the story. Her father had told it to her.

Kariah-Belle nodded. "Yup, Rexilious was a monster. When he aided in defending a city against Talon I knew he'd be serious business."

It was no secret that Kariah-Bell kept up with most knights in the Order.

"Take anything you want." Said Laou-Zen.

"No sir." Said Kariah-Belle. "We can't do that."

"Please, it's the least I can do." The man was almost begging.

The two going women looked at each other. They shrugged in unison.

Akio picked up a blue rune that boost defensive stats and an emerald conducting crystal for her dagger. With it the dagger could hold more mana.

She also took a small bracelet. With it, if she trained she could gained offensive speed.

Kariah took necklace that reduced cooldown.

When they were finished Kariah placed four golden jewels on the countertop.

"But Ms,"

"Listen, im not busting my ass not to spend this money." Kariah wasn't backing down.

The shop owner smiled defeatly. "Very well young Nadire. May Kul bless both of you."

The two women looked at each other. Akio forced a smirked.

The brown-haired woman laughed. "May she bless you too."

It wasn't long before they made it to the facility given to the orphanage Kariah and Lax grew up in.

Kids were playing outside.

"Kariah-Belle?!" Asked one of the kids.

The kid was Drakon. His scales were orange and his skin was olive.

"Bowling pinhead?" Responded Kariah-Belle responded smiling wide. "Is that you?"

The teen's eyes grew wide with excitement. "It is you wrecking ball head!"

The kid ran up to Kariah and hugged her tightly.

"I was so worried about you." He said.

"Aw. I'm fine as you can see. Where's Charlotte?

"With Mrs. Bonnie. I'll take you."

The boy led the way inside the orphanage. Kariah-Belle gave more kids hugs and reminised with them. Kariah seemed to be great with children.

"How is it being a knight?" Asked one of them.

"It's awesome," Ri said. "It's scary at times but man is it exciting."

"You're so brave." They looked at her in amazement.

Finally, they reached the kitchen where women were preparing a meal.

"Ah, Kariah-Belle." Said an elderly woman. "It's so nice to see you."

She them thought for a moment then her face turned sad. "So it's true? Lax-Rim died."

"What?" Said one of the children.

"Out children." The women told them. They closed the door. Akio was sure they were listening.

Kariah wiped a tear. So did another young redhead who Akio assumed was Charlotte. Kariah and Lax often spoke about the younger woman fondly. The freckles on her brown skin gave her away.

"It happen so fast." Kariah-Belle sobbed. "There was nothing I could do. I'm sorry guys."

Akio's heart broke again.

"It's not your fault," said the eldery woman. Her hair was purple with streaks of black. From what Ri had told her she was from the Lavial brandh. Her name was Harriet. "We try out best but sometimes life just takes us by surprise, especially in the world of a knight."

Riah wiped her tears and cleared her throat and smiled. "Anyway how has everyone been?"

Akio knew she was trying hard to stay composed.

"We've all been well. As you can see we have some new faces. Most have returned to the front lines." Harriet gave a weak smile. "Try times."

"Indeed." Responded a help.

Harriet then gave Akio a once over. "And who might you be?"

"Akio Stoneheart." Said Charlotte.

"Ah. A Stoneheart. Word is you faced the Darkness twice."

"Barely." Akio responded.

"I don't want you to be a knight." Charlotte blurted out.

Akio looked to Kariah-Belle who blinked in confusion. Realization dawned on her.

"I have to. I have to sit on the council." She explained.

The redhead rolled her eyes. "You want to sit on the council." You don't need to."

"It'ss the best way I can serve mankind."

"I don't want you to die!"

Kariah-Belle then looked at Akio. Then back at Charlotte.

Anyone who could sense mana would feel the large amount the Nadire conjured. "I've become a lot stronger since we last saw each other. I'm not going down without a fight."

The mana then disappeared.

"I get that," Charlotte said. "But the thought of you dying at the hands of the Darkness... Those monsters. It sickens me."

Akio felt sick thinking about it. She closed her eyes to focus on getting rid of the image. When she opened her eyes again Charlotte was watching her.

"You've faced them and you're her best friend. How could you let her do this?"

"I too have a goal." Akio responded plainly.

"Let me guess. You'll risk your life for it." She rolled her eyes again.

"Charlotte." Harriet snapped.

"When you have something truly precious you wanted to protect, you'll understand."

Charlotte looked around. "I do want to protect everyone."

Akio could tell by the blisters on her hand. As if she had been holding a sword.

"So you've already found your precious thing. Do you understand?"

Charlotte contemplated. "Yes." She finally said. "I'm sorry. We've already lost Lax-Rim. I don't want to lose you too."

Kariah-Belle went over to hug her. "I promised a good friend they wouldn't lose me. I'll make you that same promise."

Charlotte hugged her back. "You better not break it. If you do I'll never forgive you."

"How about you tell the kids some adventures." Said Harriet. "I'm sure that will cheer them up. Wouldn't it children?"

The young ones opened the kitchen door. Some had tears in their eyes.

"How about Akio tell you about the time Lax-Rim, Akio and I fought against a Cerberus." Kariah gestured to her.

"Oh you mean from the recruitment exams? That was awesome!" One of the kids sniffled.

Akio began telling the story.

She told more stories about Lax-Rim's heroics until the sun set.