Erin didn't trust Alastor Weiss, nor did she particularly like him. However, her feelings were not exactly unfounded. After all, he had put a knife to her throat and threatened to kill her. Now she was expected to do business with him, and for what?

To ensure Casius returns to his family, a little voice in the back of her head responded. Honestly, sometimes you're such a selfish arse!

The four of them were seated around a small wooden table - one of the very few "luxuries" Alastor Weiss held - where they continued to discuss the matter at hand. Alastor and Hirst had appeared to strike up an instant friendship with each other, exchanging hearty laughs and tips on how to woo women whilst enjoying some freshly made barley tea. Erin stared across at the man, whose strange, enigmatic nature continued to baffle her. Her cup of tea sat, untouched, in front of her.

'So, you're telling me she actually hit you?' Alastor asked, referring to the incident back at The Faux. Erin recalled how the dwarf had attempted to pursue a female necromancer, despite the poor woman proclaiming that she wasn't a prostitute.

Hirst nodded. 'She got me right here.' He pointed to his left eye. 'It was so unexpected, I fell into the wall!'

Alastor threw his head back and laughed. 'Oh, my! It sounds like this journey of yours has been most adventurous.'

The dwarf spared Erin and Casius, who were silently observing from the other side of the table, a mere glance. 'Yeah,' he muttered. 'It's had its fair share of ups and downs, but, hey, what can you do?'

'That is true,' Alastor said. He took a quick sip of tea before setting the cup down. 'I have to say, I still can't quite believe you came all the way from Laistenbal just to find me. Why, I'm flattered! To think you've all gone to such lengths...'

'Pfft! You try travelling with these two for a couple of days. I swear, it's like minding a monkey and an ox with breasts...'

Alastor's gaze wandered to Erin, whose unforgiving stare never shifted from his dishevelled form. The smile he wore faltered slightly and he inclined his head to the side. 'You haven't touched your tea,' he observed. When all he received was a tense silence, he sighed and pushed his own cup away. 'You're still upset over our earlier misunderstanding.'

Erin snorted. 'Really? Whatever gave you that idea?'

'And they said the form of sarcasm was dead.' Alastor's features softened, even in spite of her bitter attitude. 'Again, I apologise for what happened. It was uncalled for. However, you cannot deny that I had a good reason for resorting to such my brash circumstances. I was convinced you were a ruthless thief out to claim what very little I have.'

'You put a knife to my throat!' Erin slammed her hand down against the table, ignoring the dull rattling of wood and the clattering of cups. 'I'd hardly call that a misunderstanding...'

'Look, I understand your reasons for not wanting to converse with me,' he said, 'but how many times must I apologise before you learn to forgive and forget?'

'Apologise as many times as you want. It won't make a bloody difference.'

The man's gaze drifted over to Casius, whose impassive expression gave nothing away. 'I see. So, tell me again, why are you here?' He smiled, looking back over at Hirst. 'You said you were in search of something rare?'

Hirst nodded. 'That's right.'

'And what is it that you seek, exactly?'

'Uh, well...'

'This.' It was Erin who spoke.

She gestured in Casius' direction. The angel stood up, recognising his cue to do so, and reached for the clasp of the cloak securing his wings. He unhooked it at once, prompting his wings to burst free from their restraints. The oversized feathers twitched and flapped, proving that they were indeed real.

It's almost like they're waving, Erin thought, watching as Alastor's eyes widened.

Casius then reached underneath his shirt, unveiling the rusted key hanging around his neck.

'The Sacred Keys,' Erin explained. 'There are only two of them in existence. We've got one. You supposedly have the other.'

Alastor stared at the key, drawn by its somewhat corroded form. 'Ah, yes,' he said, scratching the back the back of his neck. 'I do recall acquiring something similar a few months back, but I never assumed it was anything particularly valuable.'

'Where is it now?'

'Probably somewhere in my main warehouse, which is back at Bayloch.'

Everything happened at once.

Erin felt something break inside of her while Hirst fell forward, his head meeting the table with a resounding thud. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Casius' unchanging expression. It was the only thing preventing her from following her instincts, which screamed at her to lunge across the table and strangle Alastor.

But despite the dismaying revelation that had just come to light, Casius simply wandered back over to the table and took his seat, acting as though nothing had even happened.

'Bayloch?' Hirst exclaimed at last. He sat up, unveiling a bright red mark stretching across his forehead.

Alastor nodded.

'As in Bayloch town?'

Another nod.

The dwarf bought his fist down against the table. 'Piss on a stick!' he bellowed. 'We come all the way out here, just to be told we've got to go back! Bloody hell, imagine if this was the storyline for a fantasy book. It'd be like getting a sword shoved right up your-'

'Hirst!' Erin shot him a look cold enough to incapacitate Apollo himself.

'Well, I'm sorry! No offence, but I have better things to do with my life than enduring worthless ventures with a stubborn witch and her pigeon boyfriend!'

Erin's face flushed purple at the mention of the word "boyfriend", though she fought to maintain her composure. 'Which part of that wasn't offensive?'' she hissed through clenched teeth. Underneath the table, her fingers dug and clawed into the material of her trousers.

Alastor stood up, choosing that moment to intervene. 'If I may,' he said, 'I believe this particular conversation has reached its end. Now, in regards to your earlier concern, I understand that you have all come a long way to visit me. However, I can assure you that this little venture of yours was not for nothing. You probably aren't aware of this, but I happen to be an experienced wizard capable of casting basic transportation spells.'

'For real?' Hirst glanced round at Erin. 'See?' He gestured at Alastor. 'This is what a real magician is! Why couldn't you think of that?'

Unwilling to dignify that with a response, despite having a nifty one at the ready, Erin simply glared at the dwarf whilst wondering what the chances of him being struck by a meteor were.

Don't be so harsh on him, an inner voice rebuked. This is just his way of showing love.

Well, maybe he should learn that the odd word of kindness doesn't hurt anyone, she retorted, her scowl broadening. Hirst and Alastor went back to chatting, dismissing the whole Bayloch revelation in an instant. Maybe he should learn to respect others if he wishes to be respected himself.

Casius inclined his head towards her. 'I'm a little confused,' he whispered. It had been a while since he last spoke. 'Is the Mortal going to comply?'

She nodded. 'I'm sure he is. Don't worry.'

Alastor, as if having overheard their words, concluded his conversation with the dwarf. 'The book containing the requirements for the transportation spell is upstairs,' he explained, offering an apologetic bow. 'It's been a while since I've done any kind of magic. Even basic magic.' He jabbed a thumb at the staircase. 'May I?'

Erin nodded, watching as the wizard retreated across the room and up the stairs. She smiled, especially when Hirst proclaimed that their quest was nearing its end. The revelation that they were close to concluding the mission and uncovering the second Sacred Key was indeed satisfying.

But yet...

She also knew what would happen once their venture ended.

All the more reason to value what little time you have left, she thought.

Erin observed Casius as he began engaging in an authentic, everyday conversation with Hirst - it was the first time the two had actually spoken. Her face softened and she joined in, though it was merely a distraction, a way to avoid thinking about the saddening truth.

Soon, he'll be gone from this world...

* * *

Meanwhile, Faustus Belial was leading his army through the crowded streets of Dorafeir with the courage and nobility of a true leader. Ignoring the perplexed and concerned stares of the bystanders who knew better than to challenge or question the long chain of uniformed men marching behind him, Belial pushed onwards.

Pathetic dogs, he thought as he forced his way through the crowds of people intent on purchasing various merchandises and rare items. Always striving for more than they already have. It's never enough for them. Greed controls and overwhelms them like a sickness!

The continuous rhythm of multiple boots pounding against stone echoed across the wide roads, pulsating throughout Belial's mind like sweet music. A grin pulled at his lips as he looked up at the vast castle which stood in the far distance, overlooking the capital below.

Soon, they'll be gone from this world...

* * * *

Team Erin are making progress, unaware that Belial is closing in on Orion's Seat. Quick, someone tell Elric to look out of the window!

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