Iris Eloclipse listened to Alucard as he spoke. His tales where astonishing.

"The Order has been fighting a battle on three fronts. First there is Crow. A criminal organization who believes power is the only thing that matters. Most of them have gone mad on dark mana. Using the drug known as Darklight and distributing it to anyone who wants some."

"We have that on our planet." Said Kariah-Belle.

"So you know it's bad news. They also deal in illegal weapons trade. They have many powerful bounty hunters under their thumb."

Alucard let everyone take in the information before continuing. "Next we have the Darkness. You already know about them. Nothing more than vicious killers that serve Darqus."

He looked to Kaden. "As long as that thing is in you they'll hunt you forever. Are you prepared for that?"

"No sweat." Kaden said. He was relaxed.

"I expect you to become stronger. Don't disappoint me. Lightning Flame." Dracula once again addresses the group. "The Titans are a race of powerful beings. They too serve the dark god. Right now they are sleeping as planets but if they wake up the mortal race may have no chance without the Light and Dark Keepers. We have no clue when they'll wake up. Right now we fight their spawn, the Nephilim. They have extraordinary abilities. Only holy Knights or a group of Divine Knights may stand a chance."

Alucard continued. "The Nephilim and Darkness do not serve together. In fact, they are at odds as well. We have yet to figure out why."

"A battle on three fronts?" Said Iris. "That's quite the problem."

"Indeed." Alucard responded. "Things get worse."

The brown-skinned Vympiri cleared his throat. "Sometime around the last decade, we recently found a stone tablet floating through space. It had a piece of Kul's essence attached. It said the Titans can be stopped. If Kul's vessel uses her power to keep them in their slumber."

"Let me guess," said Kaden. "If she does she'll die."

"Yes." Alucard answere looking at Kariah-Belle.

Iris was too.

She wondered how the younger woman was taking the news. She did speak. Only stared at the Vympiri.

"If they are big threat to humanity... No, the mortal race then I'll give my life to keep everyone safe." Said Kariah proudly.

"Absolutely not!" Shouted Kaden.

"I have to Kaden!" Kariah-Belle snapped back. "This is the best way to keep you all safe! To keep you safe."

"But Ri," Kaden was interrupted by Riah.

"If you can give your life for everyone then so can I."

"What about your dream to sit on the Supreme Council!? Are you just going to give that up!?"

"Kaden please!" Kariah cried. "If I don't then who will? Would you rather watch the world burn?

Kaden looked away. Iris could see the frustration on his face.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Iris placed a hand on Kariah-Belle's shoulder.

"Positive." She responded.

Iris saw the resolve in her eyes.

"I... I don't want to lose you but it's your choice." Iris hugged her.

"I'm doing this to protect you too Master."

Kariah then turned to Aya who had a sad expression.

"Can't we fight?" Aya asked Alucard.

"We can but we aren't sure we could defeat them. The tablet stated that the Titans destroyed the universe before."

Iris remembered the Vympiri speaking about the destruction of a universe before theirs. She couldn't fathom how powerful the Titans must be.

Alucard was cleared his throat again. "No one will force you."

"I know. I'm choosing to do this."

"Perhaps you're rushing things." Akio spoke up. She was as nonchalant as ever but tears were streaming down her face. Iris knew of the bond the two women shared.

"I know you don't want to lose me, Aki," Kariah said soothingly. "But I must protect you."

"You promised!" Exploded Akio. Iris clearly saw the frustration on her face and was surprised. "You said you wouldn't leave me."

Kariah-Belle gave a weak smile as tears slide down her cheek. "I'm sorry Akio. I meant to stay with you forever. Please understand, I need you to be safe." She then looked around the room and added, "all of you."

There was silence.

It was broken by Queen Ahmeal. "How about we give it a few days?"

"We might not have a few days." Said one of the Fae. "They could wake up at any moment."

"I agree with queen Ahmeal." Spoke Alucard. "You must have things you want to live for. Perhaps you should think on it for a few days."

Kariah was silent for a moment. "Okay." She said quietly.

Iris was relieved. She didn't want Kariah-Belle to die before reaching her goal. She didn't want to lose her best friend's daughter. She loved Kariah like her own.

It was later when Iris found Aya studying. It had been time for Kariah-Belle to get her twenty-four hours of sleep and she was snuggled next to Aya. The girl would slumber like the dead. Akio was cuddled beside Kariah-Belle.

Iris knew Riah and Akio were still suffering from losing Lax-Rim. Aya was where Kariah felt safe when she couldn't lean on Akio.

The holy Knight felt sympathy for the younger women. She hoped their training as Knights kept them from the Fallen Place.

"Can I speak with you?" Iris said quietly.

The white-haired woman nodded. She carefully slide out of bed and the two women exited Aya's room. They walked until they were inside Iris' sleeping quarters.

They watched each other.

Iris finally spoke. "I'm glad you didn't die."

"I understand why you kept things from us." She said, knowing what Iris wanted to discuss. "Yet I can't help but think there could've been a better way."

"My dear, you are still young and inexperienced," Iris said.

Aya looked away. "I know but I can't help but feel there could've been a better way."

"Perhaps but from what I know about Darqus that was our best option."

"It would've been nice to be in the know." The Felicity looked at her.

"I'm sorry. I couldn't risk you getting in the way. It needed to be done."

Aya took a deep breath. "I understand. My attachment with Kaden and Kariah would've had me doubting your plan."

Aya normally went along with Iris' orders. The bond the two shared was like parent and child. It was how she knew if it was for Kaden or Riah, she'd disobey. The younger woman was aware of her shortcomings.

"Are we cool?" Asked Iris.

Aya nodded. "We're cool."

Iris nodded back.

"Tell me, did Eliyah really possess Darqus before Kaden?"

Iris nodded again. "Kaden's father even defeated a Primordial with it."

The milky-skinned woman went wide-eyed. From what she learned about them in school, they were terrifying. Kaden had faced one and said its power was suffocating.

"Can Kaden become that strong?"

"Even stronger," Iris told her.

"Is that why you push him so hard?"

"I pushed all of you for this reason. I had no idea the universe had been destroyed by the Titans but I knew of them."

"I see." Aya then stepped closer to Iris. "Don't bear these burdens alone Master."

Iris frowned. Aya was her right hand. She never wanted to keep her out of the loop. "I didn't mean to make you feel left out. I'm sorry. You know I need you my dear."

Aya smiled. "I know."

The two women hugged. Iris was glad she and her apprentice were on good terms.

"Sorry to hear about Max." Iris hugged her tighter. "He was a great Knight."

Aya squeezed and sniffled. Iris knew the two weren't particularly close but they shared a love for each other.