Yang wasn't quite sure how she'd ended up there, standing at (F/N)'s left at the head of the council table, the seven sins gathered round it. She wasn't quite sure what she was supposed to do or say, if she was supposed to say anything at all. To say she felt like she didn't belong would be an understatement. These were the leaders of The Family of Sins. (F/N)'s generals and heads of his territories. She wasn't supposed to be there. And it was obvious she wasn't the only one who thought so.

"Would someone please explain to me this girl's presence." Lucian asked arrogantly.

"Her presence is none of your concern." (F/N) said firmly. "I would remind you that she is here under my invitation. As are all of you."

Lucian scowled but raised no more objections.

"Now, if there are no more interruptions, we may begin." (F/N) said. "Firstly, I want to thank all of you for keeping The Family in order during my absence, and for confining the knowledge of this incident amongst only those of us present. As for the identity of the assassins, and how they managed to sneak past our security, I want you to forget about it."

Sounds of protest immediately rose from the sins. Questions as to how (F/N) could care so little about this breach in their security.

"Silence!" Lucian bellowed. "If it is The Dark Slayer's wish that we do not concern ourselves with this matter, then it is our duty to do as he says."

"Thank you, Lucian." (F/N) nodded. "I know that you are all no doubt outraged at this severe act against us, and rest assured that I am taking measures to discover who is behind this plot. But for now, we have more pressing concerns. Raven is on the move."

The atmosphere in the room immediately changed. Everyone, including Yang, stood a little taller at the mention of Raven Branwen's name.

"Do you have any idea what she's up to?" Alastair asked.

"Only a hazy image. A puzzle that I am still in the process of assembling."

"Is that..." Yang began, but when all eyes were cast upon her, she fell silent.

"Go on, child." (F/N) encouraged. "You have as much a right to speak as anyone else in this room."

Still hesitant, Yang put forth her question.

"Is that where you go when you disappear from the camp?" She asked. "Tracking my mom?"

"Amongst other things." He nodded.

"You said she's on the move." Levi said. "What do you mean?"

"Recently the Branwen Tribe has been getting bolder. More daring. In the past they've kept their distance, steering clear of my territories and the villages under my banner. But in the past months, they've been growing closer. Expanding at an alarming rate. I have no doubt that they will come into contact with our western border within the next few weeks."

"But they wouldn't dare encroach upon our lands, would they?" Bezalel asked. "They know what that would lead to."

"I'm not sure." Celine said. "Normally I would say no, but my scouts have reported increased scuffles with the Branwen tribe in neutral territory. And as Mason can attest, the frequency of their raids along our trade routes have also increased."

"Raven is a fearsome warrior." Alastair said. "And a tactical genius. She wouldn't act unless she was sure she had the upper hand."

"Which begs the question," Balthazar said, "what's changed?"

Everyone turned their gaze to the head of the table where stood (F/N).

"What's changed is inconsequential." The Head of the Demons said. "What we know is that she's coming. She's already mobilized her forces and I refuse to allow her to cross into our borders."

"But, my liege," Celine said, "there is no evidence that she'll attempt to invade our territories. She's made no move against us..."

"She's spread her reaches into the neutral territory!" (F/N) said angrily. "She's destroyed our trade routes along the western border! She's trying to cut us off from our furthest regions and I will not allow it! You are supposed to be my Wrath, Celine! So where is your fury? If we allow Raven to gain any momentum, she will be impossible to stop! And if you lack the conviction to do what must be done then I will appoint someone else to lead my armies."

Turning his back on the council, he directed his attentions to the map of Anima hung on the wall.

"We need to bottleneck her troops, slow her advance." He said, examining the large map. "Alastair, you, Bezalel, and Lilith will combine your forces and attack from the north. Lucian, Mason, and Levi from the south. Outflank her and push her forces towards Seastone Pass." He pointed at the long isthmus at the middle of the continent. "Celine, Balthazar, and myself will await her here, along the Chartreuse Mountain Range."

"So, we are to prepare for war?" Bezalel asked.

(F/N) nodded and turned back to his council.

"See to your affairs. Ensure that all matters are seen to to ensure that everything runs smoothly in your absence. Lucian, Celine, establish a line of troops on the edge of our territories should we fail. Mason, Levi, see to it that our finances are readied for all possible outcomes. Lilith, warn those under our banner of what is to come. And tell our allies not to trouble themselves with this. This is a matter of family. Understand."

Everyone nodded.

"You know what to do. See it done."

The council nodded and (F/N) disappeared through the side exit leading to the adjoining tent. Yang stood, unsure of what to do as the sins slowly began filing out of the tent, talking amongst themselves.

"Yang." Alastair called from across the room.

Yang moved towards him, stopping briefly to allow the large Minister of Labour to pass.

"Yes?" She asked, stopping before Urdin.

"I never got the chance to properly thank you."

"What for?"

"For saving my friend's life." He said.

Yang's face flushed embarrassedly. Similarly, to (F/N)'s gratefulness, Alastair's gratitude had her flustered.

"I-It was nothing." She stammered.

"Listen, I need a favor from you." He said.

"What is it?"

"(F/N), he's... important... to me." Alastair said. "Not just as the leader of our people, but as my friend. We've known each other for years, and if something were to happen to him, I'd never forgive myself."

"So, what did you need from me?"

"Listen, (F/N) and Raven have a complicated history. He doesn't think straight when it comes to your mother."

"What do you mean?" Yang asked, hoping to finally get some answers.

Alastair shook his head. "It's not my place to say. Listen, (F/N) hasn't seen Raven in many years. The last time they met, they had a legendary fight. But (F/N) let his guard down. He would have died if I hadn't been there. But I can't protect him this time. If all goes according to plan, we'll have an army between us."

"So, you want me to look out for him?" Yang asked, surprised.

"I do."

"I don't know." Yang said. "I mean, I couldn't even handle one of those assassins the other night, and all of you keep thanking me, like I fought off a horde of them. Besides, isn't (F/N) capable of handling himself in a fight?"

"He is." Alastair nodded. "More than capable. He's more powerful than you know. Powerful enough to unite half of Anima and keep the creatures of Grimm at bay through his mere presence. But, like I said, he doesn't always think straight when it comes to Raven."

"Why not?"

"Again, it's not my place to say. Listen, I have no doubt that (F/N) will have you accompany his forces during this fight. Promise me, if it looks like (F/N) and Raven are to encounter each other on the battlefield, tell him he must trigger it."

"That's it?" Yang asked.

"That's it." Alastair nodded.

With those final words, Alastiar followed the rest of the of the council, stepping out into the loud noise of the camp. After he'd left, Yang turned and, giving only a brief pause, entered (F/N)'s tent. The small table that sat in the middle of the room had been pushed to the edge of the room, creating an empty space where (F/N) stood with his back to her, his sword drawn. He was practicing his cuts and footwork, shuffling forward and backward, blade slashing and cutting through the air, dozens of cuts executed in the blink of an eye. Reaching the edge of the cleared space, he pivoted and continued his cutting back the other way, until his eyes fell upon Yang framed in the entranceway.

"Yang." He said simply, sheathing the Yamato.

"Can we talk?"

"Yes." He said. "We probably should."

Yang moved further into the tent, approaching (F/N)'s desk where now sat the Head of the Demons, busy riffling through one of the drawers. Finding what he was looking for, he slid it shut and slid something across the desk to Yang.

"What's this?" Yang asked.

It was a small, golden broach, about the size of a quarter. It had been carved intricately, bearing the image of what appeared to be a lion's head, though it's face much narrower.

"It is the symbol of the spriggan." (F/N) said. "In lore, it is a minor demon. An evil fairy that dwells in forests. But amongst my lands, it is a symbol of authority. This marks you as one of my advisors. When people see it, they will know you have my trust and a portion of my authority. From now on, you are able to do as you please. Everything will be provided for you and you answer to no one but Alastair, the sins, and myself. It is a reward for your loyalty."

"I... thank you." Yang said, accepting the pin.

(F/N) watched in silent approval as she fastened it to her left jacket lapel.

"Um, (F/N)." Yang said slowly.

"Yes, Yang?"

"Could I... could I ask a favor?"

"You may."

"Would you... tell me about my mother?"

(F/N) released a heavy breath and leaned back in his chair.

"I suppose it is time we had this conversation." He said. "What would you like to know?"

"Well... everything."

"Okay." (F/N) nodded. "It all started at Beacon Academy, about twenty-three years ago. I met an enchanting young woman named Raven Branwen. And... I loved her."