"Well, he wasted no time getting off the Gitmidur." Oboyo idly noted to Roche and Twilight as he entered the main hall and took a seat, letting out a deep sigh of relief. Back home, safe and sound where nothing could possibly go wrong.

"Welcome back, everyone! Is there anything I can get for you?" asked Ms. Kuporia, approaching from the main door and eyeing Oboyo, Roche, and Twilight. Oboyo waited for the other two to respond before asking her to find Elenor.

"Well, some hot lemonade sounds like a good way to unwind, after that fight... And no kidding, Oboyo." With a yawn, Twilight Sparkle settles down in one of the chairs, wings twitching against her sides as she rests.

Roche yawned tired after the flight and prior battle, he stretched slightly and headed to his room for a moments rest. He asked the others to come get him if there were anything they needed.

"Very well then, I shall return shortly, kupo!" said the elderly moogle attendant as she headed off on her quest.

Kent emerged from the ascendalator with a look of pride on his face. Behind him, four ninjas and Jinsaka's younger brother followed, along with the rest of the people that accompanied him on the mission. "Men, I can say that this was a success." He looked around, but, before he continued, entered the device once more. He re-enters with a terrified looking Kimen being pushed in front of him, his feet scratching against the floor as he refused to move them. "And now we're all here!"

"As you're the leader of the PDF, Oboyo..." Calmly, Twilight Sparkle turns her gaze towards her superior, horn lighting up briefly and sparking as she levitates her saddlebags over to rest against one wall. "How am I performing, thus far? And please, be honest with me."

Demonicor walks in beside the younger Jinsaka, his hand on the boy's arm, his other hand bandaged and bleeding at his side again "We'll get you a cup of hot chocolate, maybe find you a mug with a rune on it."

Gizmo follows behind Kent as he enters, apologizing profusely "I swear, I didn't mean to run off on such short notice. That hardly ever rarely happens."

Mekis enters into the mansion, feeling ever victorious. Such a feeling was common for him, whether he had actually won something or not, but it was the same either way.

Kimen's plan of hiding behind the ascendalator door and listening in on the meeting where it was safe was quickly ground to a hault as the former knight drug her in. She cringed, peering around cautiously hoping to not spot any barking beast of fur and teeth in the room... And any good hiding spots in the event she happened to spot one. She glanced back at Kent with a nervous look, as if asking him if he was sure she couldn't stay outside.

"Hmm? Oh, well--" started Oboyo until he spotted Kent's group enter from the ascendalator. Quite a group to be arriving together, Oboyo thought to himself, until Demonicor dragged in a familiar face. Oboyo thrusted himself up off his seat and quickly approached them. "..A.J.?! What's going on??"

"Guess that's going to wait until later..." With a shrug of her forelegs, Twilight Sparkle shifts her gaze towards the door, raising one eyebrow slightly and tilting her head. "Who's that...?"

Kent nodded saddly to Oboyo. "Graham should be around too. Nobody here died, though, I can't say what happened to your brother." He then turns his attention to Kimen. "...you do know that the dog isn't here right now, right? And even if it was, it wouldn't hurt you." Kent glanced at Mekis. "In fact, I hear it worked to save us a couple of times. It's a tough puppy."

Mekis replied "Your enemies have forfieted. That's what's going on. At least this group has. The imitation military man and...whoever the others are. Never learned who they were, to be honest. Not that it's really important, am I right?" Responding to Kent, "Yes, yes. He is quite the noble creature, isn't he? He would make a fine mount. A shame only I could ride him. The lack of mounts in this place is astounding in all truth"

Kents words did little to assure Kimen that it was alright because the child knew better! You couldn't trust dogs. Yeah, sometimes they seemed nice and sweet but that could change and change quickly! Then the next thing you know... The child shuddered at the thought. But at least Kent seemed to be correct in one thing; the dog didn't seem to be here. He tried to relax a little after noticing this, letting the adults talk and listening quietly.

Gizmo leans up against one of the walls, eyeing Kent. Something about what he'd just said was bothering her "Excuse me... but I get the feeling I missed something in my absence. Why was it necessary to state 'Nobody died'? That hasn't been... normal lately, has it?"

The Brittanian Catgirl, Lynette Bishop heard that Oboyo's group had returned from their most recent mission and was making her way to the lobby to see what had occured. She's been busy working on a couple spells that will allow her to communicate directly with machines, partly because she's grown to trust a few of the mechanical members of the Force.

"Forfeited..?" Oboyo was shocked. He would never have expected the others to go after Graham without him. Things seem to have worked out, at least. But the fact that A.J. kept silent had Oboyo concerned. Oboyo knelt down to look his brother in his glazed over eyes. "A.J..hey, I'm here. Everything's alright, okay?" said Oboyo softly to the boy, who merely continued to mutter the word 'Ruuune...' to himself.

"What the hell did they do to him?" asked Oboyo, glancing towards the ninjas who arrived with Kent. They merely glanced at each other and shrugged until Jum, the ninja in black, spoke up. "Well you seeee..he was like that before we signed on with your old fart. Wouldn't even tell the General his plan, hmmm? PretTY secretive! All we know is that he -reaaallly- wants to get his hands on the Spirit Rune."

After her hot lemonade's been delivered to her, Twilight Sparkle stands up with the glass cocooned in her magic, trotting over towards the door as she takes a sip. "Wish my brother could be here to help us, but... If he can't get involved with the PDF before that last invasion, then we'll just have to make do without him... Shining..."

Demonicor pats the kid on the shoulder with a smile "Well, at least it's good to know he's not homocidal to you. Come on kid, lets get that hot chocolate for you." he begins to lead A.J. out toward the kitchen.

Mekis nodded at what the ninja said. "Yes, what he says is true, if I'm thinking of the same man. Very violent with his language. Shouting 'kill them' this and 'You idiot' that. Standard for a foolish man."

Kent lets go of Kimen as he relaxes and turns to Mekis, crossing his arms. "Whilst riding a duck seems less than intimidating, I must say your possession of a mount does incite a spark of jealousy from me." He sighs, shaking his head. "First horse I find is mine. I have noticed a severe lack of horses in this world." Of course, Oboyo was bringing up a more important thing. Kent's voice grew dark as he lit a cigar.

"Oboyo, your brother is the reason this mission happened, and I did everything I could to bring him back. I'll leave him to you and... the... he's a mage right? Demonicor?" Kent wasn't that well aquainted with him. "Anyway, if you can't 'fix' him, I mean no disrespect when I say it'd be a mercy kill. Roche or I could preform the funeral, but, the kid right now is talking like a monster."

Lynette Bishop walks over to Twilight, curious and lost, though a little protective of the pegacorn, given Kent's discussion of horses. "Can you fill me in on the details? I fear I've been absent too long."

Kimen knit her eyebrows in worry at Kent's words, and tugs lightly on his cloak, "Surely we don't have to go that far, Mr. Kent do we?" the child looked at the other boy who was only repeating the word 'rune' over and over. He didn't seem to be doing any harm or hurting anyone. Talking like a monster is not the same as being one, after all. Right?"

Oboyo held his hand up to stop Demonicor from leaving, but lowered after giving it a second thought. The boy probably could use some hot chocolate. He then quickly glanced towards Kent and shook his head. "Mercy kill? You're out of your mind! A.J.'s...we're only half related, but he's still my brother!" Oboyo rose up and rubbed a hand down his face.
"..Roche, he went to go rest in his room. Can one of you go get him? And Lym, she was out in the rear courtyard. They can tell us if we're dealing with possession." As if watching the entire time, Elenor stepped out of the eastern hallway with her arms crossed. "You haven't thanked Kent yet for going out of his way for your family." she said coldly, glancing over to Twilight. "Since Oboyo's busy, mind telling me what happened on Pedan?"

A moment later, a portal ripped open farther down the room and dumped Helios out and onto a table. A moment later, a full set of silverware was dumped out on top of him, followed by a plate and a napkin fluttering down a moment after that. "Ughh... That was unpleasant." The mechon shook off the pile of table settings and hovered over to the rest of the group. "What was that about not dying this time? Do you mean Steve dying or us killing Lionel?"

Kent remembered what he began to say near the end of his fight with Graham. If Kimen looked, he might have noticed that Kent was one step short of crying, but, then he straightened his face and looked back at the child. "Yes. yes it is, Kimen. It shows you've lost control of yourself..." As his voice trailed off, Kent seemed to be lost in his own thought for a moment. But, what he said was perfectly true in his own mind. If he, or an ally lost control they were a threat.

"Well, Lynne..." Twilight Sparkle sets her glass of hot lemonade down, turning to face her friend with a small smile and pointedly ignoring Kent at the same time. "The most recent excursion was to take care of a giant ghost horseman far from here, which went well." At Elenor's question, however, the pegacorn mare flicks one ear in her direction before nodding. "We ended up fighting a ghostly horseman, though the horse itself gave us a warning about one of those runes..."

Gizmo walks over to help clean the mess created by Helios' entrance "Uh, both I guess. And do I even want to ask about all this?"

Hastur wnters the room, stretching. Upon seeing everyone talking to... well, everyone, he just stops and leans on the wall, listening in.

Mekis raised a hand, "I will fetch our local priest if the need be.I'll shall return with him posthaste." And with that, Mekis went off to find Roche, not entirely sure where he was. But such a thing is no matter for this warrior.

Roche does a small stretch as he enters he was glad he was able to lie down for a moment before being called back. He stood noticing the others back as well, he asked to no one in particular, "What may I help you with?"

Lynette Bishop nods, petting Twilight's back a bit as she leans against the pegacorn. "Ah. To be honest, I'm not sure what I should be doing right now. I'm used to having round the clock orders."

Kimen held tightly to the fabric, "He isn't doing anything bad Mr. Kent. He is just repeating the same word over and over. He is not hurting himself or anyone else! Besides we don't know what has happened to him exactly! To say such a thing is like you are giving up hope on him before we even know..." It was then that the child saw Kent's expression and his words trailed off. The child let go of the cloak, looking down at the floor. "Don't lose faith just yet Mr. Kent. Its too early, okay?"

Hastur scratches his chin, then heads out, deciding to go find Lym and bring her back to the group, thinking she might be needed.

"Of course you do. Let's see... We killed Lionel to stop a factory from exploding, though it was a choice between him or Lym. He insisted on saving her, so we went along with it." Helios picked up some of the silverware to help Gizmo out. "As for Steve, he was killed during the attack on Crysta. We arent going to go into details on that, we heard it was unpleasant. Ah... Where do you want this stuff?"

Oboyo grimaced as Elenor's words pierced into him. She was right. "..erm..thank you, Kent. And the rest of you, too. I'm sorry I wasn't here..this means a lot to me. Looks like Demonicor's keeping him safe for now.." said Oboyo as he turned towards Roche. "It's my little brother, I need you and Lym to see if he's possessed. She should be.." Oboyo stopped as he eyed Hastur returning with Lym at his side. "Oh, Hastur..I didn't see you before. Thanks. Lym, can you and Roche.."

Lym nodded as she left Hastur's side and approached Oboyo and Roche. "I know. Where is he? And do you feel up to it, Roche? This will be your first time using my order's teachings."

"One of those runes? You mean it knew about the Spirit Rune?" asked Elenor.

Gizmo is a bit taken aback. She'd never known Lionel well, but any member of the PDF dying was a sad event. As for Steve... she did not like what he did, but in a way his death would have meant finally having peace "I see. I'm sorry to hear that. Umm... on the table is as good a spot as any, that's what tables are for right?"

With another nod, Twilight Sparkle picks her glass up again, opting instead to simply stand by Lynette instead of leaving the room. "Yes, Elenor. It knew about the Spirit Rune."

Hastur nods, then moves to stand by his ward, giving her a small smile.

Helios looks at the silverware floating in his magnetic field and seems to shrug, promptly dropping them all back onto the table. "Well, if you say so." He moves the knives and forks around to set the table. "Anyway, where have you been?"

Roche nodded nervously sure he had trained diligently to learn to use the technique, but this was the first time he was to actually use it, he looked to Lym, trying to hide the nervousness on his face he spoke with some faux confidence, "Ready when you are."

Gizmo places her stuff down "Mostly I've been trying to secure the alliance of the beast kingdom. That was... more or less successful. I've also been trying to help our little dancer friend Mogwai, since she's been a little disturbed by what happened at Crysta. She needs someplace safe to stay. I know where she can go, but getting there... well, still working out a few kinks."

Demonicor comes walking back in with A.J., who holds a mug in his hands, a runelike D carved into the otherwise blank cup "Well, does anyone have a plan to figure out what's wrong?"

Mekis looked about, wondering what to do. There seemed to be no tasks befitting such a great warrior as he was. Mekis supposed he would shine that gem he found at the battle grounds. Always a pleasure, such activities. Mekis returned to Esteban's side and retrieved a gem. Thinking a moment, he also retrieved a treat for his mount. "Here you are Esteban. A biscuit of sorts that you may find rather pleasing." Esteban nibbled, happy to find various nightcrawlers within the breading.

Oboyo nodded at Demonicor as he returned to the room. "We do..hopefully. Thanks for taking care of him. Alright you two..do your thing." Lym took a deep breath and stood to the right of A.J., waiting for Roche to take his place before closing her eyes and concentrating.

"Interesting. And what did you make of it? Nanaki was quite concerned. Or was it just a typical renegade spirit?" asked Elenor.

"It seemed... odd, to me, but also like something that couldn't be taken lightly, given the warning it had for us." Twilight Sparkle narrows her eyes, frowning thoughtfully and raising one forehoof to her chin.

Helios nods. "Yes, that would probably have been traumatic to witness. We picked up the energy spike from the fortress as it fired on our sensors, but we weren't able to do anything about it. A regrettable loss." He adjusts a knife slightly. "An entire town gone... What firepower."

Mekis found a it of cloth and began shining the gem. Not that it really needed it, but better to find something to busy one's hands.

Roche took a deep breath as well as he followed Lym's lead. After half a minute passed, Roche and Lym opened their eyes, both pairs glowing white for a few seconds as they held their hands out over the boy. Oboyo gripped his left hand in memory of the last time he witnessed Lym do her work. Should a hostile spirit appear, there was plenty of backup around.

But before long, Lym's and Roche's eyes returned to normal as the latter stared dumbfoundedly at her. "Um..did I do something wrong..?" asked Roche while Lym shook her head at him. "No..it just means that there's no spirit possessing him. You did good." She then turned towards Oboyo. "I don't know what to say..whatever's wrong with him, it's not possession."

"And what warning was that?" Elenor seemed to be piecing the puzzle together already.

Gizmo starts to reply to Helios, but gets distracted by the excorcism. There were a number of possibilities of course, but one sprang to mind "It could be he is just suffering from mental trauma. Or conditioning."

"That the Spirit Rune wasn't going to be enough against the final stage of the invasion." Twilight Sparkle closes her eyes, sighing softly as her horn starts glowing a harsh white hue. "If it's true, then... It'll take every bit of my magic, if we want to stop that. And that could very well mean the permanent loss of my magical abilities..."

Demonicor gave a short scoff "Your magic? What makes your magic so special that it'll be all we need? It will take far more than that pony girl." he shook his head as he stood off to the side "In a few cases, as we've seen, it may even require relying on no magic at all."

Hastur looks at his ward, a slightly worried look on his face.

"That's true. We have records of similar symptoms displayed from mental trauma cases. Mental trauma in this case being the aftereffects of an interrogation or a failed conditioning." Helios hovers over to scan him. He glances over while he preforms the scan. "You are forgetting the benefits of technology, Twilight."

"..I see..thanks, you two." Lym nodded and cursteyed for Oboyo, Roche, and Hastur before returning to the rear courtyard. Oboyo looked towards Gizmo and Helios with a defeated look on his face. "That's what it looks like..if only we had a doctor around here." He then knelt before the boy again and hugged him tight. "Don't worry A.J..you're home now."

"Hmph, an idle threat. But it means that this 'spirit' was one of the phantoms from the fog ship." said Elenor, glancing over the rest of the crowd for a second before turning her attention back to Twilight. "We're running out of time. If you or anyone else have any personal attachments left untended, I suggest you deal with them soon. In the upcoming weeks, we'll be preparing for the final stage ourselves. Thank you, Twilight. Now, for you bozos.."

Elenor moved towards the four ninjas, who remained silent as a sign that they were there under Kent and his team's watch. "Where's your General?" The ninjas seemed a nervous as they glanced at each other. They had nothing to hide, but Elenor was every bit of the scarlet witch that they heard about. And Kent left Graham in a rather fragile state.

Kent nodded to Oboyo, and turned to Kimen, who was staring awkwardly at the floor. "...Kimen there's something I need to talk to you about." He scratched the back of his head. "Do you have a moment?"

Uh-oh. When adults said words like these it was never good. It could mean a bunch of things ranging from bad news, to uncomfortable topic. Last time Kimen heard these words she was in school still and they wanted to talk about her failure to show interest in her studies. They talked a long time about the importance of the subject and how even though she was passing her class, her grades and her future could be effected. Hearing these words from Kent though made her even more uncomfortable than that time considering it was coming at the tail end of talking about killing the boy. "Yes, Mr. Kent. What is it?"

Kent looks around and turns his head, motioning for them to go outside. He tries to leave with drawing the least amount of attention to himself as possible, unusual for him.

Hastur glared at the ninjas, cracking his knuckles and keeping his gaze on them.

Gizmo looks down at the floor, sighing. Yeah, a doctor would be a great help. Not just for A.J... but for another person she knew was suffering.

Demonicor chuckles as he leads A.J. toward the steps to find him a room "Oh, and Oboyo, someone set your father on fire. He survived it, but I can see why you don't like him."

'This might be it, then... To think I got pulled here from Equestria for a new life, only to have it end...' Twilight Sparkle opens her eyes, bowing to Elenor before conjuring a ring of fire-orbs around her horn before moving towards a window. "How else can I do my part in this war? Magic's the best thing I know."

"Yeah, too bad we don't have very much medical knowledge. We would definetly try and help him out." Helios shakes his core as A.J. is lead away. "Oh well, at least we can deal with the ghosts. Speaking of which..."He turns to Oboyo. "Do you have any ideas for things we could create to help with taking out the ghost ship?"

"Your magic will be required. Just remember, you're not the only one fighting. Don't sacrifice more than you have to, and don't become a martyr to prevent a scratch." Demonicor chuckled as he lead A.J. toward the steps to find him a room "Oh, and Oboyo, someone set your father on fire. He survived it, but I can see why you don't like him."

Roche yawned, he looked to A.J glad to know that possesion won't be the cause of another death. He said goodbye to everyone and headed towards his room, cursing mana exhaustion as he went. "Shouldn't of used my surecasting."

Oboyo stared at Demonicor for a second and bursted into laughter. "He's a real charmer, isn't he? Most of myself comes from my mother's side of the family." Oboyo released his brother and rose up. "You go on with Demonicor now..I'll come see you again later, alright?" He gave Demonicor a nod before turning towards Helios.
"I don't know..I won't be able to be everywhere at once, and there will be a lot of phantoms floating around. The proton guns will help, but there's only two of them. If only there was a way to store these spirit blasts.." said Oboyo as he stared at the Spirit Rune on his left hand.

Gizmo hmms at the impending problem "Well, I can... try to punch out every ghost I see. That would be helping, right?"

Silently, with her horn lighting up, Twilight Sparkle seems to disappear from the room with little more than a brief flash of light, before materializing in her room a few seconds later.

"Hmmm... Could you shoot one of those off? We have been meaning to get a scan of one, but we haven't found the time." Helios activates his scanning array again. "If it reads like we think it will, we might be able to store them."

"It sure would. It's good to have you back, Gizmo." said Oboyo as he glanced first towards Helios then around the rest of the manor. "Um..I know these things have no effect on the physical plane, but I'd still feel better if we went outside.." With that, Oboyo headed for the Rear Courtyard and opened the door for Helios. He still refused to share ghost tracking tech with Helios, but if showing the mechon spirit blasts would help even the odds of the invasion, he would be glad to do so.

Helios nods. "Lead the way, boss!"

"Well, you see..that knight roughed him up a little..so we left him on that ship--" Elenor rolled her eyes and headed for the ascendalator, prompting the ninjas to shrug and follow behind. Their General would not be pleased to see the crimson maiden in his current state.

Hastur shrugs and heads to his own room.

---Meanwhile, outside in the courtyard...--

Kimen followed Kent out of the building feeling even more worried now. Did he say something wrong back there? Was Kent mad at him? What needed to be said that required them to be so far from everyone else? The child scratched the back of his neck wondering if he should ask Kent where they were going but after giving it a little thought, he decided that maybe it wasn't for the best. Kent would tell him why they left the meeting when he was ready.

They didn't get far before Kent stopped. He didn't need to be be anywhere specific, he just needed to be alone from everyone else. He turned to Kimen, got on one knee so that they'd match height, and unexpectedly handed him his tinderbox filled with matches. Kent held out his left hand, palm up, unthreateningly. With a calm voice he spoke. "Try to light me on fire with that. Trust me."

The child looked at Kent, then down at the box filled with matches she was holding in her hands, at first staring blankly between the two, not fully registering his request right away. Kent wanted Kimen to...What?! The child's mouth fell open and she stared at Kent, "M-Mr. Kent! I can't do that!" Fire was a dangerous thing to be messing with. Kimen wouldn't be able to forgive herself if Kent got hurt! She tried to shove the box back into his hands, shaking her head.

Kent held the box and sighed. "Very well. I was just thinking you'd like to see it for yourself a bit closer." Kent took no hesitation to pull out a match and light it himself. He placed it in his still opened palm carefully, just letting it burn there. He made no effort to put it out or to demonstrate the phenomenon further. "See?"

For a moment, Kimen panicked and was about to bat the burning match out of the knight's hand for fear of him hurting himself, but Kent's calmness regarding the situation and lack of reaction or display of pain caused Kimen to hesitate. He stared as the flame quietly burned away at the wood, causing no damage to Kents skin. "Its not... hurting you." It was pretty obvious but the child was in awe and had to say it outloud for himself. How was Mr. Kent doing this? Certainly wasn't magic since the man hated magic. Maybe it was a trick match? Maybe the flame was not real? The child carefully put his hand over Kent's, drawing it away quickly as he felt the heat coming off of the flame. It was real. It had to be something else then. Kimen lifted his head, looking at the former night with a questioning look, waiting for an explanation to this trick.

"I've often talked about how I am damned, but, it goes further than that, Kimen. This isn't a human ability, and I cannot teach it to you." Kent placed the match on the ground as the flame continued to burn awhile longer. Without a moment's notice to explain further, Kent picked up a rock and made a gash on his hand, enough to get a drop of blood to fall into the flame.

As the drop of blood hit the fire, it turned black and gave off a much darker light, if such a thing was even possible. "Don't reach your hand over it again. It's dangerous now." It was only a few more seconds before the insignificant fuel of the blood was used up and the black flame went out. Kent looked back at Kimen in the eyes. "My blood is tainted with hellfire. And I think it's destroying my soul..." He paused. "...if it hasn't already."

Kimen watched as the black fire burned away the last of Kent's blood, for a moment unable to summon forth the words to respond. Had Mr. Kent been like this all this time or was this a new development? What could the child say about this? "Mr. Kent," The words came out feebly. And they were Kimen's only words for a long moment before finally in a soft voice she said, "Don't say that, Mr. Kent. You still have your soul, you wouldn't me you if you didn't." She turned to the knight, reaching over and wrapping her arms around him, squeezing him tightly.

Kent hugged Kimen back for a long time. He needed to hear that, regardless of whether or not he believed it. Kimen was now the sole person who knew the nature of his ability besides Kent himself. Kent, however, had one more thing he needed to tell Kimen, and it was something he knew the child wouldn't agree to. Kent pulled away, and reached into his boot, pulling out a small knife-pouch and a cloth. He opened the clasp to produce a very small knife, more suitable as a tool than a weapon.

"I don't know what's going to happen, Kimen. It got worse last time. So, have this." Kent closed the clasp and offered the pouch and cloth to Kimen. "That there is a silvered knife, the same technique used to make my sword. The cloth is there to help you keep it clean and look after it. It will help you in case anything evil tries to hurt you." Kent closed his eyes shut, and a tear ran down both cheeks. "If I hurt you, Kimen... Kill me with this knife."

Kent was afraid. It was clear to Kimen now. The reason Kent has suggested the boy be killed earlier was simply because he was afraid of something like that happening to himself. Kimen took the knife from Kent, but he didn't look at it. "You won't hurt me Mr. Kent." he stated, holding the pouch tightly. "So I won't need to. You just said you don't know what is going to happen after all, and you said you only think your soul is being destroyed but you seem to be the same Kent I always have known."
The child offered a small sad smile to the man, "So don't lose hope, Mr. Kent. I'll learn what I can about it and see if I can find any solution that can help you! There is bound to be something about it somewhere, right? If anything this world is the perfect place to look!"

Kent looked at Kimen but said nothing. He didn't know what to tell him. Would he tell him about the demon? Should he talk about what happened back at the island? He had no answers. He just looked into the boy's hopeful eyes. There was so much faith and trust in them, which Kent would never understand. He didn't have it in himself to say anything more. Kent stood up, and just looked to the doors. "Come on, we should probably get back inside."

Kimen nodded to the former Knight, holding her small determined smile. "Thank you, for trusting me with this. I know that it must be hard for you." She reaced out and took hold of his hand, "I'll be with you every step of the way now that I know. And I will do everything I can to help you... because you are my family, and you are important to me Mr. Kent. So don't be afraid, okay?"

Kent looked down at Kimen. He had always been told how fear would drive him, and he needed to use it like any other tool. Use your own fear to work harder, and use your enemies fear to make them make mistakes. Kent had never listened, always relying on his mettle to pull him through, almost ignorantly pushing fear away. But now he had people beyond a god to fight for, so he had a new fear. The fear of hurting his friends. "I won't be afraid, Kimen." He was lying, but he needed to say it.