Early in the morning, we all gather in my hotel room to make plans for what our next move is. Dimitri, Ayette, Renji, and Renee are sitting on one bed while Shitau, Ciana, Aislinn, and Nathan are on another, and me, Riene, Kaltrina, and Tsukumi are sitting on the third bed.

"Coralyinn stole Melantha's Iegashyia essence whenever she attacked her," Reine begins to explain, "that means Coralyinn has more power and different abilities than she did before. Whenever we faced her, that was simply herself and nothing else. We should begin training as soon as possible in order to have the best chances, but we must figure out our next move. We have secured Nathan, Gabriel, Shitau, Renji, Ciana, Aislinn, Tsukumi, and myself. That leaves Adrienne, who we imprisoned, Medea, and Coralyinn."

"We also have a relic holder," Dimitri adds.

"Do you think we could find the other three relics?" Nathan asks, "I mean, it might help us..."

"Coralyinn is most likely going to be hunting for the relics as well," Reine says, "which also makes Ayette vulnerable. However, it would be wise to try and find the others. I believe we should either choose to find the relics or Medea as our first course of action."

"If I may add something," Tsukumi clears her throat, "last night during the festival, I talked to a...friend...of mine. He can lead us to Khalida Ghuildhide if we wish."

"That must be some friend of yours," Dimitri raises his eyebrows, "Khalida is practically a goddess who stays hidden."

"Khalida," Renji breathes out, "the best known warrior of all Angel Iegashyia. It would be an honor to meet her."

"Who?" Nathan blinks.

"Khalida Ghuildhide is practically a legend," Kaltrina explains, "she's a Seraph Iegashyia but she also has a second gift known as Soulforge. It's extremely rare for Iegashyias to have two gifts. She's able to create any weapon imaginable out if thin air and break ethereal bindings known to be impossible of breaking. She essentially weaves the spiritual plane."

"Khalida would make a valuable asset, but come on, why would she help us?" Renee snorts.

"What do you mean?" I ask wearily, "why wouldn't she help against Coralyinn?"

"Khalida never leaves her sanctuary anymore," Reine explains, "she stays constantly hidden and only those lucky enough to find her have a chance of gaining an audience with her."

"If we have to, Khalida could break the Soul Chain for us," Tsukumi starts, "she could keep Coralyinn from gaining all that extra power. But nothing comes without a price. That is, if we even manage to gain her respect."

"Where did your 'friend' say Khalida was staying?" Reine asks.

"Orina, the Fall Sector capital," Tsukumi says, "technically, she's on the outskirts of Orina, but still."

"One of the relic holders lives in Orina," Dimitri adds on.

"Interesting..." Reine hums, "this poses quite a predicament."

"If you don't mind me suggesting," Renee starts, "even though I don't think Khalida will help us, we should go to Orina. If there's a relic holder there, that could be beneficial for us. Plus, Medea is a wild card. Nobody knows what she'll do and we should be as prepared as possible before we face her."

"Alright," Reine nods, sighing, "do we all agree on going to Orina?"

A murmur of agreement passes through the room before Reine meets Tsukumi's gaze.

"Alright," Reine says, "lead us to your friend."

Tsukumi nods and stands up, heading out of the room.

"I will stay behind to pack our stuff," Aislinn says.

"Me too," Kaltrina says.

"Me, Reine, Ayette, Shitau, Ciana, and Gabriel will go with Tsukumi," Dimitri says.

"I'll help pack," Nathan offers and Aislinn nods.

"Us too," Renee says, motioning between her and Renji.

Reine, Dimitri, Ayette, Shitau, Ciana, and I follow Tsukumi out of the room, catching up with her in the lobby.

"Try not to anger him," Tsukumi warns as we walk through the streets, throwing a weary glance at us over her shoulder, "he has somewhat of a temper."

"Got it," I sigh.

"Hey, Tsu..." Shitau starts, tapping on her shoulder from behind.

"Hmm?" Tsukumi hums and glances over at him.

"It's good to see you again," Shitau offers a small smile and Tsukumi smiles back.

"Yeah, it is," Tsukumi says fondly.

We continue walking until we reach an area with many small shops lit with neon signs that are currently off, due to it being around noon with the sun shining brightly and a few clouds randomly drifting around. We approach a brown wooden building with two glass double-doors and a red neon sign that's turned off. I glance at the sign above to see that it reads 'Rochart Artillery' and I raise a brow curiously as Tsukumi swings open the door. On the right side of the room, a long white and tan counter lines against the wall, multiple gun racks hanging on the wall behind it and an open archway behind it as well.

"Oi!" the Irish accented young man behind the counter stops leaning on his taped up arms and stands up straight, looking directly at Tsukumi with an irritated expression, "get the hell out of my shop before you scare all my customers off."

"Phoenix," Tsukumi sighs, returning the gaze of the green eyed shop keeper, "hear me out."

"I thought you said he was your friend?" Reine whispers.

"He is," Tsukumi sighs.

"Doesn't seem like it," Ayette mutters.

"I don't want any trouble," Tsukumi says, approaching the counter, "I just need your help. Just this one time."

"I already told you last night, the answer is no," Phoenix crosses his arms against his chest.

"Please," Tsukumi sighs, "we just need you to take us to Orina."

"I--"

"Phoenix, sweetie," a redheaded woman with long straight hair and bangs comes out from the room in the back and leans around the corner of the arch, kissing him on the cheek, "remember what we said about being nice? I know you just started working for your family's shop and don't want to get fired, but shouldn't you help them out?"

Phoenix sighs and runs a hand through his blond hair with bright red streaks throughout it as he contemplates the idea.

"Fine," Phoenix sighs, "but just this once."

"Thank you, Belise," Tsukumi smiles to the redheaded woman who smiles back, her hazel eyes twinkling with mischief as she nods to Tsukumi.

"I'll only take you as far as I want to," Phoenix adds, "after that, you're on your own. I'll tell you what I know to help you, but that's it. Now, get out of my damn store. I'll meet you at the city border a few hours from now. We'll head to Orina from there."

"Thank you so much for your help," Reine offers.

Phoenix nods with a huff before making shooing motions with his hands and we wander out of his shop.

"How do you even know him?" Dimitri asks, "he didn't seem too keen on helping you."

"I'm a vigilante," Tsukumi says as we walk back to the hotel to gather our things and meet up with the others, "most people are reluctant to associate with me. I also use dark Iegashyia magic, being a Moon user, but that doesn't make me a bad person. It just paints a...stereotypical target on me. Phoenix is a street fighter, so I've ran into him a few times."

"That explains the tape on his arms," Ayette says in realization.

"A street fighter?" Ciana tilts her head to the side, "is he an Iegashyia?"

"Yes," Tsukumi pauses for a few moments, "but not every Iegashyia is taught to use their powers. Some are taught to hide them."

"What is he?" I ask, wondering if I shouldn't have asked once the area goes silent and Tsukumi stops walking.

"That's not for me to say," Tsukumi says with a sad smile as she turns to look at me over her shoulder.

My breath hitches in my throat and I begin to wonder, just who is Phoenix Rochart?