Sinners and liars

Time passed and the day of the blood council meet came without fail. To welcome the trainee black knights as well as the three other super powers of Ignatia, the streets were crowded with people. Food stands , merchant carts and decorations filled the area.

A path from the market side gate to the castle was opened as two carriages entered. One white, drawn by a white stallion and the other black, drawn by a black stallion.

The white carriage brought the pope of Centurion,Franklin Cane and his son, Godwin Cane.

"It's been a while since I've been to Marcos, it sure has changed quite a bit... actually no, it has changed a lot!"

Franklin says , looking out the window at the pool of malice left behind by Emberle during their first encounter with Tiyanak.

"It's a shame it wasn't for the better."

Franklin lays an eye on Godwin and notices his face was without expression. "You worry about Emberle. Don't strain your mind, she's not called the devil princess for nothing."

"... Perhaps."

His shiny black hair covered the eyes he had hoped to hide from his father, the same eyes he had kept glued to the small window since the start of their jeourny. The eyes of fear.

The two are greeted by Marcos Queen Maria and prince Cid as they arrive at the castle. From the black carriage, steps out Greed, covered from head to two in a dark cloak to protect from the sun. The prince of Babylon, the first vampire in history.

"My my, Maria, looking beautiful as always." Franklin says with a smile as he kisses her hand. He then clings arms with Marcos.

"Franklin, it's been too long. You're in good health I see." (Marcos)

"Praise the almighty. I'm glad to see you're not all bad yourself, considering your misfortune lately."

"Ah ,you know very well the Redstorms are fighters. I see you brought Emberle a gift."

"Oh ,yes. He's been gloomy the whole way here, maybe seeing for himself that the Redstorms are 'fighters' as you say ,will raise his spirits."

"Say less. Cid, show the young master to Emberle's quarters."

Greed passes them by the entrance to the meeting room. "You humans are slow."

Emberle was now finally awake after a long time of slumber. She sits up straight on her bed as Historia removes the bandages on her wrists and place them in small tub full of water.

"...You shouldn't have come back, you know? I might actually kill you this time."

Her eyes turn away from Historia as she says this in a low voice. Historia smiles and replies, "When that day comes, I hope you savor the taste."

"I'm not joking, I'm already hungry enough as is and Grey has gone completely silent."

"...I know it wasn't your fault ,princess, so don't worry about it. Besides, since no one else wants to do it, taking care of you pays extra...and I need the money, it's not just out of kindness."

Emberle finally turns her head to look at her. "...so you're using me ,huh? That honestly makes me feel a little better."

"haha ,you make it sound so bad." She laughs.

When Historia pulls the bandage, Emberle starts moving her arms. "Are you sure they're okay?"

"Yeah, they feel fine. It's fine if you go join the festival now."

Before Historia replies, a voice comes by the door, "You make it sound like you're not going."

When Historia turns around and sees who it is ,she suddenly flustered and hurries to pack everything and leave. "uh-uhm... I'll show myself out."

"hey." Emberle called before she left, "For what it's worth, I really am sorry."

She smiles and dashes past Godwin at the door. He enters the room with a soft smile on his face. "Are you really not going?"

"Do I look like I'm in the condition to go?" She asks sarcastically.

"This coming from the fearsome devil princess?"

"Ugh, I swear, when I find out who came up with that name, I'll make them beg for death."

"The fact that you have thoughts like that proves they weren't wrong."

Emberle picks up a cushion on the bed and throws it at Godwin who was laughing at her, but it misses by a considerable distance. "haha ,you missed by a mile." he continues laughing.

"Ugh." she folds her arms and pouts.

"Aww , don't be mad , your highness. You'll ruin your beautiful face." He says softly as he goes to sit on the side of the bed and holds her hand. "come on, it's been forever since we've seen each other and I'm worried about you. Let's just go out for some fresh air."

Emberle was the crown princess of Ignatia, and as such, she was expected to act accordingly. Especially in the face of those with status, but in the back of her mind, all she thought about was Grey.

Was he okay? Why wasn't the [link] working? Though she knew for a fact that he wasn't dead, she still feared for the worst. However, for now, she knew she had a responsibility.

A loud roar suddenly comes from outside, a roar fierce and frightening like thunder. "...!!?"

Godwin runs to the window and opens the curtains. Over the city, a majestic beast had it's wings spread over the enormous shadow that fell over the market area.

Everyone below stared in a trance, it's red scales sparkled in the sunlight, her dark horns alluring and curly. "Oh ,my lady Fiera just arrived."

"She's so cool!" The children cried out.

The dragon circles around the castle castle,

It then descends in a spiraling blaze and lands inside the castle wall.

"Do you think she brought Ash with her?"

"Hopefully not, I'd hate it if she ruined our first festival date."

"Oh ,I didn't know it was a date." Emberle smiles.

"Did I say date? My bad, my tongue slipped. I'll step out while you change."

In the meeting room, Fiera enters in a black Chinese style

dress ,her black hair waving in the air. She was clearly in high spirits.

"Gentlemen! shall we begin!" She shouts with a smile.

"You're late." (Franklin)

"Had to stretch my wings a little. It takes a healthy body to do what I do. It's not that easy to turn into a god like being that can level an entire city."

"Pshh, please, a Valkyrie does a hundred times what you do."

"Well , it's sad they don't exist now , isn't it?"

"Ask the old texts, I have a million scriptures that say otherwise."

"Don't need to, I was there when they were written."

"Enough! Save your quarrels for due time, we have a bigger crisis on our hands." (Marcos)

Marcos places his wrists on the round table as his voice slightly echoed in the small room. "The matter of the heavenly sin?" Greed raises his head. He removes the black veil and hoodie he used to cover his face.

"You really believe he's the sin?" (Fiera)

"What else are we to believe?" (Marcos)

"There is no doubt about it." (Franklin)

"Whether he is or is not, is a question for another time. What we must decide now is how to deal with him."

Far from the capital, there is wooden broken down shack. It stands in the middle of a swamp, where no one clearly ever goes. A voice shouts, "Icarus, do you hear me?"

A man sits on the stoop of the shack, with a bottle in his hand. He gulps down on what remains and releases a deep sigh.

"...No. I don't."

A white ball of light ,floats behind him and a voice comes from it. "How long do you intend to live this way? Moving from sty to sty like a lost rat! No matter the situation, you're still a celestial."

"My days as one of you have long been forgotten. This is who I am until the day I find her. And frankly I don't even know why you care or why you're here. You abandoned me decades ago and now that you need my help you expect me to forget everything and assist you? Yeah right ,I hope you break both of your legs falling off your horse."

"Your fall was not our fault, it was of your own incompetence... but now is not the time. The nephalem we left on earth defies us, he's gone rogue. Bring him to me and I shall tell you the whereabouts of Althea Methusael."

Icarus gets on his feet and drops the bottle. He steps Infront of the white ball with serious eyes.

"Is this the part where I just take your word for it? Sorry but this world taught more than enough to know trust comes at a cost."

"Come now, Icarus. Have you forgotten? We're celestials, we never lie."