Iris Eloclipse was stressed.

It had been some time since the Supreme council ordered the safe evacuation of most Vympiri strongholds. A few of the evac fleets were attacked by the Darkness but over two-hundred-thoudand made it to Atlantis safely. There were still more Vympiri on the way.

Now the place was starting to get cramped. Both parties were on edge. Vympiri and humans alike were in danger from the Darkness but wouldn't get along to save their lives.

Literally.

Iris couldn't worry about that at the moment. She was currently looking through holographic images of suspects. There were so many suspects and so little evidence. Iris felt as if she would never find the mole.

"Iris," called a Divine Knight from the doorway. "We have a problem."

Iris followed the Knight out the room. "What is it?" she asked.

"See for yourself." the other Knight responded.

Iris frowned.

They walked for some time and came to a large crowd of humans.

They were yelling slurs and insults aimed at a crowd of Vympiri.

Iris pushed her way through the crowd and made her way to the front.

This was the second altercation today. If Iris didn't do something fast, a fight would break out.

She hopped on top of a vendor's building and shouted in a powerful voice, "Hey! What the hell is going on?"

They ignored her. Both sides kept yelling. Now Iris heard threats of violence. If a fight broke out here, the supreme council would have her head. A fight could end up destroying Atlantis. Then they'd all be doomed.

Iris wouldn't let that happen on her watch.

She used her life force to conjure mana and shape it. A wall of stardust shot up from the floor, separating both sides.

"That's enough!" she exclaimed. "What do you all think you're doing?! Fighting?! Now?! Here of all places! The only safe haven left to humans and Vympiri alike! Stop being foolish!"

"You were foolish to bring them here!" said a Knight from the crowd. "Everyone knows Vympiri can't be trusted!"

"Shut up, human!" said a Vympiri. "You cattle should just let us absorb your life force! We'd be strong enough to face the Darkness on our own!"

"Not on your life, leech!" said a civilian.

The yelling started again.

Iris didn't know what to do. For the first time in a long while Iris didn't have the answers to the problem before her.

A female Vympiri landed beside her. It was Remi.

"Enough!" she screamed and the Vympiri closed their mouths. "I don't like these humans any more than you do. These inferior creatures killed our master and destroyed our Crystal City! I hate them! Still, we need them if we are to survive the Darkness! There is to be no more fighting! Do I make myself clear!?"

The group of Vympiri grumbled their understanding.

Remi turned to Iris. They stared at each other. Remi was slightly shorter than Iris with a fit build. Her hair was a pinkish red and her skin was olive. The fact she had color to her skin was an indication she was a mature Vympiri. The life force suckers were born as white as snow. She looked dangerous with her bright red eyes and fangs. Iris wondered how many humans she had killed to reach full maturity.

Remi spoke. "I'll keep my people in line if you do the same."

Iris didn't know how well that would work. She couldn't control her people. They were too afraid of the Vympiri. They had good reasons though. Vympiri terrorized mankind for centuries.

Still, Iris nodded. The holy Knight took a deep breath then spoke again to the crowd. Though she was unsure of herself, her words held confidence. "We are all in this together now. Like it or not. Together is how we survive. If you don't like it you are welcome to leave."

The humans looked unsure. Iris knew they wouldn't risk leaving with the Darkness roaming around.

"I agree with Star Titannia." one civilian said. It was her old friend Jaheb. Iris sighed in relief.

"That's the Star Titannia." a woman said.

Murmurs of her feats went around.

"Yeah," said a young Master Knight. "W-what do we have to lose."

"They're right," said councilman Ralphiel. The crowd made way for the councilman. "If we can't pull our efforts here then do we deserve to survive?"

The group started to change their tone. The people often sided with Ralphiel Stoneheart. Iris was glad for the assistance.

"Alright, now everyone go back to your rooms and try to calm down." Ralphiel told them.

The Vympiri looked to Remi. She nodded. Both humans and Vympiri dispersed.

Iris Used a little mana to jump over to the councilman. "Thanks. Not sure I could've handled that."

She looked to Remi and waved her over.

The councilman chuckled. "No worries Star Titannia. It's a pleasure to be backing such a famed Knight."

The Vympiri thought for a moment as if weighing the benefits of joining them. Remi decided to leap next to them.

"Iris." Jaheb called. The dark-skinned man stopped in front of Iris.  "Is it true Kaden is gone?"

"How do you know that?" the councilman asked.

"I keep my ear to the ground." he told him. "Its now I heard that there's a mole in the Order."

"That's sensitive information, Jaheb." Iris said.

"I know, I know but maybe you've been going at it all wrong. Hear me out. You've probably been thinking the man from the LightKeeper's story is the mole. What if he sent someone in his stead. A messenger."

"You sure do have a lot of information." the councilman narrowed his eyes. "How do we know you're not the mole?"

"Jaheb is a good friend of mine." Iris butted in. "He wouldn't betray mankind. His words have been good to me so far."

Ralphiel thought for a moment then nodded.

"So instead of looking for the mole himself, we find his informant. Thank you so much old friend but that might be even harder."

The old man's expression was one of sorrow, as if sensing her distress . "I'm sorry, my girl." he then grinned. "I'm sure you'll find a way. You're the Star Titannia."

Iris giggled. "You're faith in me has fired me up now, old timer. I'll get right on it. Thanks again." Iris then turned to the Vympiri. "Do you know the mole?"

She shook her head. "Ive seen your mole but I haven't seen them here."

Iris nodded. "Would you be willing to help me locate our mole?"

"Yes."

Iris sighed with relief. "Thanks. I'll get my most trustworthy people to interview as many of our people as possible. You and I will start by interviewing Knights. Let's get to it."

Iris took her hand but the Vympiri snatches it away. "Do not touch me, human! I've agreed to work with you for my own people's sake. That mole of yours is dangerous."

Passerbys watched to see what would happen.

Iris cleared her throat. She needed this alliance to work. "Right, sorry. Shall we get started?"

The Vympiri nodded. With that, the two began interviewing suspects.