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Chapter 364: Arrivals

The only way for them to resolve this problem, was the destruction of Aubert de Villaine. But killing a Paragon was no easy feat.

"Jewelry Master." The Cosmagus looked over his shoulder at Lan Jue.

"Wine Master," he replied. He could see the same thing his elderly friend did. He knew what he was thinking.

Skyfire Avenue's acting leader fixed Lan Jue with a serious stare. "I will be sending you and the Pauper to safety. Make our way to Skyfire Avenue immediately. Tell the keeper he is now in charge of the Avenue, and the Gourmet will be his support. You yourself need to continue on your path, don't let the Clairvoyant down."

Lan Jue could feel his heart seize. He was a smart man, and immediately understood what the Wine Master was planning. His response was low and stubborn. "I have never, and will never abandon a companion on the battlefield. If you're risking your life here, count me in. Send the Pauper – he'll likely be a Paragon in a few years. If we work together, we may have a chance."

"No." The Wine Master flatly refused. "The Clairvoyant said that you are Skyfire Avenue, maybe even the hope for all humanity. You must live, and your life will not be one of joy. It will be a life of responsibility. A corrupted Paragon is more terrifying than you can imagine, but I am strong enough to deal with this issue myself."

As he spoke, the Wine Master flourished the scepter in his hand. The space around them shimmered, and a golden portal appeared like the one they'd seen earlier. Like before, it was stable and unique – like it was created from some otherworldly power. The golden light painted their grim faces in a dim hue.

The Wine Master's voice came again, stoic and determined. "Flee, now under the cover of my strongest abilities. If you wait too long, the chance will pass." His eyes were hard, there was no second guessing this. He'd made his choice. Destroying a corrupt Paragon meant saving countless lives, and if sacrificing himself insured that then it was a worthy sacrifice indeed.

"Now cut the shit and get the hell out of here!" It was the first time Lan Jue heard anything other than regal discourse come out of the old man's mouth. He looked out over the expanding black hole. Soon, it would reach it's critical mass, and everything would be devoured – including Aubert and the Wine Master.

"No one needs to leave. Things here are done." An old, craggy voice interrupted their farewell. Much to Lan Jue and the Wine Master's surprise, however, this voice was female. For the Cosmagus it was even more pronounced. This newcomer was a Paragon, undoubtedly, considering her ability to interceded here. Among the Paragons there was only one woman, and she didn't sound like this.

Alas, this was an omen of doom, certainly. The only reason a Paragon would arrive now under these circumstances, was to bring aid to their enemy. This would be their demise!

The Wine Master answered by allowing the portals to close. Every Paragon, by virtue of their link to the world of primal energy, had some control over interspatial power regardless of Discipline. The Cosmagus could no longer be sure his portals were safe.

Lan Jue, meanwhile, was frozen in place. He was familiar with this voice!

Aubert was still as well, the moment he heard that voice. A column of blood-red light appeared then, shining down upon him from on high. He let out a shrill, forlorn scream. Immediately following, the constricting purple energies disappeared without a trace as did the Wine Master's black hole. The Avenue's Paragon was in a daze, uncomprehending.

Aubert begun to writhe and flail. Vines thicker than a man's waist whipped dangerously all throughout the small town. They were illuminated by a blood-red moon that sat full in the sky.

Lan Jue and the Wine Master looked back to Aubert. Their senses heightened, they could see something else hanging over the mad vintner now. It was an arrow, white as snow, buried in his 'body.' It shimmered like moonlight, and from the wound threads of poison black energy groped out desperately. Lan Jue could feel something else in the air as well, something kind and familiar.

Realization dawned on the Wine Master as he watched. This new Paragon, this sudden and frightening voice, was not their enemy. Her target was Aubert de Villaine.

The Wine Master and Lan Jue exchanged a look, but neither made a move. They weren't sure precisely sure what they were watching – it would be foolhardy to act now, before they knew where they stood. Meanwhile, the writhing mass of vines that was Aubert slowed and eventually stopped. The purple aura that surrounded them vanished, and was replaced by a soothing violet glow – but where Aubert's purple was harsh and violent, this green-tinged purple was far more gentle.

The column of red light, pining Aubert in place, disappeared. The moon's own red hue melted away to reveal silvery white. The peaceful lunar glow painted the area in silver and shadows.

The grapes upon Aubert's form began to change with the addition of moonlight. The amethyst fruit were suddenly covered in a thin film of hoarfrost, and were no longer transparent. But what was this? Some sort of Discipline metamorphosis?

Lan Jue's expression revealed his confusion. He stepped forward, but the Wine Master quickly grabbed him by the shoulder. There was still so much unknown, the old man couldn't let Lan Jue risk his safety.

In the silence of the unnatural night, suddenly they heard a faint sigh. It stretched on for a long time, quiet and sad. After perhaps half a minute, it faded in to silence.

It washed across all of them. The Wine Master's face once more adopted it's regal façade, for he knew now that they were safe. Who ever this person was, she was on their side.

"Why? Was it worth it?" The elderly female voice hung in the air as moonlight coalesced beside the body of Aubert de Villaine. The skies cleared, and were revealed to have changed from that angry purple to a soothing lavender. What's more, the entire town felt… lacking, as though something had gone.

Lan Jue looked out toward the fields where he spied the farmers. They stood like statues, with tendrils of black escaping from the top of their heads. The poison energy would rise a few meters, then dissipate in to the air. Their expressionless faces remained blank, though now it was clearly due to confusion. Even Gates, the strongest of them, seemed as though he were just waking from a nightmare. The dark power over him had been the most powerful.

Once the gathering moonlight waned to reveal a human figure, Lan Jue couldn't help but gasp. "Granny Bess."

Indeed, this stranger – this woman who stopped Aubert's mad rampage – was none other than Granny Bess. It was she who'd attacked them on Skyfire, and caused the strange bond between he and Qianlin.

He'd known it when he first her her voice, but nonetheless Lan Jue was shocked when he saw her standing before him. What was she doing here? He couldn't tell whether this woman was friend or foe.

The Wine Master, upon hearing Lan Jue's surprised cry, turned to look at him. Shock was in his eyes expression. "Granny Bess? Could it be… Bess, an anglicised version of Bize? 1 She is another of the three gods of wine – that's the only explanation!"

Lan Jue looked like he'd been hit by a verticar. His mind went back to the times he'd come across this old woman. Suddenly, a detail swam up at him from the images. It was after he finished the Cros Parantoux with the others, and went to save Qianlin in the hospital. During the course of their struggle he'd coughed up blood, and it was then 'Bess' mentioned the vintage. She'd reacted to the news. 2

It must, it had to be. This woman was the one who had been partner, lover and betrayer to Aubert de Villain: Lilou Bize-Leroy.

How could this be, though? Three hundred years after they should have died, two of the three greatest vintners in history were here. Bize, as she was apparently called, was not like Aubert – she hadn't needed to become a plant. But how? It made no sense, and that cause unease. Questions still remained, the foremost being whether or not Bize had followed Aubert in to darkness.

Bize didn't pay them any mind. In fact, it was like she'd forgotten about them entirely. She sat at Aubert's side, with eyes only for him.

"Why go through this again, Aubert?" Her voice trembled with pain and sorrow.

Aubert, the vines composing his body limp and just barely clinging together, lay on the ground. The flora of his face spread in to a bitter frown. "Indeed… why? Ever since I let that poison jealousy in it has eaten away at me. I forgot everything that made this life beautiful. In my heart, there was only envy, anger, price and greed. Those toxic seeds grew, until they consumed me. Thank you, Bize… thank you for helping me see."

Lan Jue and the Wine Master furtively listened in on their conversation. It appeared as though their conjectures were correct. This was indeed the Leroy successor.

She heaved a quavering sigh. "They are sins we all suffer – but the strongest of yours was pride. It ate at you that you were inferior to someone else. From that poison soil those seeds of envy, anger and greed sprouted. Eventually the illness reached your heart, and that's when you chose to win by any means necessary. That was when you were lost."

1. *Cough*

2. Good call andrewl11!

Chapter 365: The Terrible Cost of Misunderstanding

Aubert de Villaine spoke with a weak voice. "You're right. No matter what I do now, it's far too late. You've separated me from the illness for a time. I thank you for giving me this opportunity, to clear the haze from my eyes. I've lived for over three hundred years, and I've done far too much bad. It's time I passed. You were right, I was full of arrogance. But I must tell you something… that I, Aubert de Villaine have only ever loved a single woman in my entire life. Even death won't change that. That woman, is you Bize. Dying in your arms is a blessing. I need to ask you to help me end this poisoned life. Yet, I would ask that you continue building on what I've accomplished in this place. All of the men and women here, all of the workers and wine makers, they were all under my control. I infected them with my own hatred and took over their minds. Now that my power has been severed, they are free. Please be good to them."

Aubert sighed, and turned his eyes to the sky. "Especially Gates. He is Jayer's nephew. I'd stolen him away all those years ago. He was the first victim of my poison. I used my powers to keep him alive, so that one day when my wines surpassed his predecessors I could lord it over him. Now, that won't happen. He was a great talent for wine making, please encourage that."

"And then there's this place… our beloved Beaune. I have never forgotten our beautiful homeland. I would like you to have all of it. I have carefully tended to all of these vines, adhering to the biodynamic principles we used from the beginning. Even though my soul is poisoned, these grapes are true. They will make you fine wines."

Lan Jue and the Wine Master, standing off to the side, listened to their exchange. The anger and resentment they'd felt melted away when they heard his impassioned speech. Aubert de Villaine was a masterful talent who's desire for success and blind pride lead him down the wrong path. Yet even now, defeated, the most important thing to him was the wine. A god of wine was a god of wine, even if he did do it for the wrong reasons – a fallen god! Although they had had to fight for their lives, a sense of esteem grew within the Skyfire adepts at what they witnessed. They remained separate, however. This was something the two old vintner's had to do themselves.

"Die? Do you think it will be that easy? Have you already forgotten what you did, how you treated my sister and I? How you expelled me from the board of directors? That was the man who loved me? No, the one you claim to love was my sister."

Aubert answered with a bitter smile. "The deeper one loves, the stronger their reproach. You left to find Jayer and didn't return. That was when jealousy took root. I knew I couldn't compare to the man – and in our world, making wine was the most important thing. I wasn't good enough for you, and when you finally did come back with that smile on your face I knew I'd lost you forever. Hate and envy lead me to the single greatest regret of my life, separating the DRC family. It was simple math; I owned fifty percent, as did you and your sister. I knew she fancied me so I roped her in. I couldn't stand to look at you, that was my only thought. Then you left, and oh do I remember the day. The look in your eyes… it brought me a terrible pleasure."

"But in truth, I never loved your sister. When you left, I ended things with her. She went on to marry and have children. She was happy, so far as I know, until her passing.

Bize's sneer was cold as ice, and sharp as nails. "Really? Well I have something to tell you as well, Aubert. Why I was really smiling when I came back that day from Jayer's vineyard. I had figure it out… the true reason for his success. I had brought my knowledge back to share with you, so that we could create a superior wine together. Like you, I had only ever loved one man, until that man cruelly gloated that he loved my older sister instead, and the both of you forced me to leave."

"Wha… what?" The defeated vintner's voice was thick with surprise. "Impossible! You loved Jayer! No… it can't be.. no!"

Bize laughed in his face. "Impossible? After all these years, in this place right here and right now do you think I would lie? I have never once in my life been dishonest. Aubert de Villaine, you are ridiculous. A truly laughable man." She laughed so hard that tears began to stream from her eyes.

Aubert was completely dumbstruck. Almost unconsciously, he muttered "But… you'd said, you'd told me that the man you would love would be the one who made the best wine."

Bize fixed the fallen god with a glare so full of hate it could have killed him outright. "Because at that point, I believed the greatest vintner to be Aubert de Villaine! I went to Jayer for that belief, so that I could learn what he knew and bring it back. So that you could once again be the greatest god of wine the world had ever seen!"

Aubert wasn't dumbfounded, he was stupefied 1. He couldn't find the words to speak. But those poison seeds in his heart stirred again.

Lan Jue could feel goose bumps 2 raise on his arms. All of this was a misunderstanding! A terrible misunderstanding, that ruined the lives of two people for three hundred years! A single mistake vast one in to madness, and the other in to bitter loneliness.

"I struck you with this soothing arrow because I needed you clear, lucid. I wanted to tear it out of you, to interrogate you until I knew why you did that to me. And now you say, it's because you loved me… you don't find that funny?"

"No! No, no, no!" Aubert howled suddenly with as much strength as he could muster. "No, Bize – you must listen to me! It was not like you say. I was wrong, I'm an idiot – worse than anyone. My jealousy never gave you a chance to explain. It was that arrogance, it hurt my pride. But it hurt you as well. All of it… all of it is my fault. Could you find it in your heart to forgive me? I beg you to give me another chance. My sins were many, my plans were terrible, but… everything was for the wine. Despite my desires I hadn't yet hurt anyone. I don't.. I don't want to die. Pull out your arrow. You've given me hope, and that hope has started to kill those poison feelings. Because of you, I'll never succumb to them again. I don't know how much longer O have to live, but if you'd like I'll spend the rest of it making amends. Three hundred years of debt, I'll repay. I don't want to die… I don't want to die! Bize.. Bize I was wrong. I was wrong!"

Purple tears leaked from Aubert's grape-like eyes, and trickled down the vines that composed his face. His emotional turmoil was causing all of the grape vines to writhe in discomfort. The blazing white arrow seemed to respond. Gradually, it began to rock back and forth, while the light dimmed to almost nothing. Eventually, it worked itself free from Aubert's body and fell to the ground.

Lilou-Bize Leroy looked down at the arrow in shock 3. This proved one thing; that the arrow of kindness could only seal evil, not kill. It was an ancient technique, which was painstakingly difficult to recreate. Since it had fallen out of its own accord, it meant that there was nothing further that needed sealing.

More importantly, however, it meant Aubert's words were true. Otherwise, these changes would not have happened.

It's true… he really loves… me?

Bize pushed herself away, her features stricken. She would never have believed this was the case. A simple misunderstanding had ruined their lives.

Now free from the arrow, Aubert quickly began to recover. The vines that were his form began to curl and twist again. The many grapes upon them shrank, then vanished. After a moment, the rest of his body followed. What remained was an exceedingly old human man. The only thing that distinguished him from any other centenarian was the fact that his skin was the color of grape vines.

"Bize!" He scrambled forward a few steps, and reached out to grasp her hand.

Bize subconsciously backed away. Aubert fell to his knees. "Bize, I swear upon my family name, that everything I said is true. From this moment forward I give it all up, everything, to just be Aubert with you. I will be Aubert Bize. I will be your knight, your servant, anything at all so long as I can be by your side. If my life is what you want, you may have it. Because as of this moment, you are the only thing I live for."

1. I'm sorry, I said I wouldn't do this, but it needs explaining; TJSS loves… loves the word 'surprised'. Everyone is surprised, all the goddamn time. If it bothers you that there are three thousand synonyms for surprised in this novel, that's why. Rant over.

2. The Chinese call it 'chicken skin'

3. AAARRGGHHHH!!!!!

Chapter 366: Three Hundred Year-Old Mistake

Bize swayed on her feet, as she looked at Aubert. After a moment, she limply fell to her knees. "Why must it be like this? I spend a great deal of time, energy and resources for that arrow. I'd created it specifically to torture you, and to discover what sort of monster you truly were. I didn't expect this answer. The fault doesn't just lie with you, Aubert. I bear some of the blame myself. You said it true, that our pride has brought us here. Not just yours – ours."

The elderly woman weakly hugged her knees close, and began to sob.

The farmers, formerly under Aubert's control, encircled the small group by this point. Many of them had been brought here and kept alive by Aubert's power, all the way from the former era. Many stared blankly, standing still as statues and trying to come to terms with their new reality. Most simply rejoiced.

The poison that had consumed them was finally receding, after so many long years. The memories of what they'd done, and the things they'd went through gradually came back to them. It had been like a nightmare, but in the end they were still alive. Now, things were finally starting to look up.

"Three hundred years! Three whole centuries! Wasted, because of a moment of pride and envy." Aubert de Villaine heaved a sigh, turning his head toward the others. "You two… come here, please."

The Wine Master nodded, and with a wave of his scepter both he and Lan Jue floated over to the fallen god's side.

Aubert looked at the younger Paragon, and nodded. "You love wine… I can feel it. All of you do. It's a pure love, not like mine. I lost my way when wine became an instrument of dominance. That was my great mistake."

Aubert weakly raised a hand. There was a flash of purple, and suddenly three grapes appeared in the air, covered in hoarfrost like the others.

"These grapes are absent the infection. I give them to you as compensation. They are the product of years of my own heart's blood, and hard work. Through the purification of Bize's arrow, they are free of impurities. Not only are they going to produce wonderful wines, they are also imbued with some level of my own protogenic comprehension. Anyone on the verge of breaking through to Paragon can take one, and it will help them along their Path. The removal of impurities has strengthened these effects, and more. A normal adept will be drunk for seven days and seven nights eating just one of these. A paragon would not get drunk, nor enjoy quite so effective results."

Again? More of this fruit? Lan Jue looked toward the Wine Master for directly, but the older man had already taken them. He handed two to Lan Jue and kept one for himself.

"Thank you, honored predecessor." The Wine Master bowed respectfully before the old god of wine. Evidently, he didn't have any qualms about accepting the grapes this time.

Once more, Aubert sighed pitifully. "I've finally come to my senses. Do not fret, friends… the corruption that had consumed me is gone forever. With Bize at my side, I wouldn't dream of it. You all may go… I'd like to, spend a little time with Bize, just she and I."

The Wine Master simply nodded. At his level of cultivation, as with any Paragon, they were able to sense acute, and minute, differences in a person's aura. He knew what he was hearing was truth – you couldn't fake the reaction he had. The gods of wine didn't have to resort to that sort of base trickery anyway. Against two Paragons, they didn't stand a chance, so there was no need for falsehoods.

Lan Jue didn't ask the Wine Master why he was given two, and simply put them away. They had a lot to talk about once they left.

"Wait a moment." Bize, who had been quietly crying, raised her head. She tenderly rose to her feet, and faced Lan Jue.

"You must doubt that my arrival here was more than a coincidence. I will tell you the truth; it wasn't. And you needn't worry, all of this was the Clairvoyant's design."

"The Clairvoyant?" Lan Jue vaguely recalled something, lingering the back of his mind.

She nodded. "The Clairvoyant and I have been friends for a long while. He knew me I searched for years for de Villaine. Back then, when the Earth was dying, we didn't want to leave. I thought I would return there to find my answers, but when I arrived at Beaune, it had been abandoned. Not a soul remained."

"The signs pointed to an exodus, so I figured he must have relocated to another planet. I felt hopeless, after all where does one begin looking in the vastness of the universe? I sought out the Clairvoyant, and asked him to help divine some answers. He told me he couldn't find him, because his status as Paragons shielded him from the power. He did tell me, though, that Aubert would find a way to extend his life. To achieve my own goals, I spend an incredible sum to make sure I would live. When you saw me in Grace hospital, I wasn't just thinking as I sat by that window. I forced my body to consume as little energy as possible – that was the only way I could live this long. A month would pass like a day to me, but every day was like living in the body of a corpse. I lingered on like this, for years upon years. All because the Clairvoyant told me Aubert was still alive."

"Eventually I came across something.. a sensation. Something had changed. I went to the Clairvoyant again, and begged him to expend his own precious energies to help me learn more. He confirmed my fears, that Aubert had fallen to corruption. It was he who taught me how to make the arrow. He said it would be the only way to clear your mind.

"It was an instrument passed down from the ancient days, requiring tremendous effort to create. With countless treasures needed, it took a hundred years to complete. But the most important thing this arrow of compassion needed… was altruistic blood. I approached the Clairvoyant one last time. He was old, nearing the end of his days. He must have known I was coming, he said that as his life faded, his powers grew. Strong enough, he said, to faintly see where Aubert might be. He asked me for a favor, for you. Meanwhile, I would get what I needed to finally get what I wanted.

Chapter 367: The Arrow of Compassion

"I used your blood – one positive, one negative – to empower the arrow. At long last, it was finished. At the same time I fulfilled my promise to the Clairvoyant, and fused your Disciplines together. Qianlin possesses the Queen of Heaven Discipline, a transformative power that is full of empathy and compassion. Altruistic blood is necessary to bear that power. Luckily we had a second who had been touched by her power, and whose blood had absorbed that essence. It was enough to make the arrow."

"Wait a minute!" Lan Jue interrupted. "Granny Bize, just one second. I feel like I've heard that before, Queen of Heaven. And you said she used it on me… but when? I don't remember anything like that."

Bize heaved an exasperated sigh. "That's because you're an idiot. The Queen of Heaven Discipline is the kindest of them all, marked by a spirit of self-sacrifice. Those who bear the power are limited to using it only three times in the course of their lives. Three lives can be saved. If even the slightest heart beat remains, this power can bring life back where there should be none. It can knit bone and heal muscle. However, using the power reduces the ninth ranked Queen of Heaven back to the very start – like she hadn't any Discipline at all. The process of saving a life looks like a cocoon, so it's called the Silkworm's power. The skill itself, the Mystic Raiment. Think now, puppet, there was a time you very nearly met death yourself, wasn't there. It was she who saved you. You must have felt stronger, afterward. Cultivation felt easier, yes?. That was the after affects, all thanks to her."

Gradually, realization crested on Lan Jue's face. His eyes went wide… Near death? The only time that could have been was on Taihua. He'd passed out, but it had been the Wine Master and the Physician with him then. That experience had pushed him through to seventh level. It was true, since then he had improved faster.

His head whipped around, and he fixed the Wine Master with an inquisitive look.

The Cosmagus sighed under the pressure of the Jewelry Master's stare. "She told me not to tell you."

Lan Jue took a deep breath. Were it not for the fact that they were surrounded by people, he'd have brought Qianlin out right then. He had a few burning questions to ask.

Bize went on. "I could sense her power in you, what the arrow needed. In taking some of your altruistic blood, I also bound you together. Her powers are rooted in compassion, but that certainly doesn't mean they're weak. The Silkworm Dharma and Mystic Raiment leave a sort of mark, an energy that allows the Queen to use the power for her own. It only works when the two – the Queen and her mark – are in close contact. This also allows you two to merge in to one. The draw-back is a reduction in power. However, the girl did save your life and can strengthen you to much higher levels. You don't have much of a right to complain."

"Qianlin wasn't away of these abilities. I completed the process for her. You've borne her mark ever since she saved you with the Raiment. During that time, the two of you were joined, sharing the same blood. That connection is what allows you to combine in to one body. But this presents a problem as well. Before achieving Paragon, neither of you can become… intimate. Once those fluctuations of emotion begin, the connection through blood strengthens and you join. If in the future you should near Paragon status, then it is also required that you break through together. Otherwise, neither of you will ever reach the end of your Path. The two of you must work to remain together, to combine your abilities, your yin and yang. Once the protogenic world opens up to you, you'll be even stronger than other normal Paragons – as much as a Paragon is normal. You will almost certainly begin at the second tier."

Lan Jue couldn't even comprehend second tier Paragon status. He was barely following where he was at now. He had no idea he had such a history with Zhou Qianlin. He had indeed at some point heard of the Silkworm Dharma, but he had no idea that it possessed powers like this… yet, it made sense. That day in her room, when he thought he felt her Discipline awakening, he was wrong. It wasn't awakening, but recovering.

Three times, that was all. Each time, a peak-level Adept had to start from the very beginning. What an enormous price to pay! And he'd repaid this by trying to get himself murdered non stop. A tumult of feelings swirled inside Lan Jue.

Bize's voice was hard and cruel. "Do you finally get it now, puppet? Qianlin is a good girl, and if you ever do anything to hurt her, you'll answer to me. Are you listening?"

Lan Jue grinned sheepishly. "I'm just… a little overwhelmed, Granny Bize. Thank you for telling me this, otherwise I'd never have known who saved my life."

"You needn't fear or resent any of the changes your Discipline has undergone," Bize assured him. "I do suggest that you two remain together when in the process of cultivation. Half the work for twice the result, yes? While you do need to break through to Paragon together, it doesn't matter if you're joined or not, so long as it's in tandem. When you get to this point, you'll understand."

Lan Jue nodded. He really was a mess of emotions, and he almost couldn't wait to find a place where he and Qianlin could talk.

Bize waved, and the arrow that had fallen to ground not far away floated in to her hand. The Arrow of Compassion had since lost it's white light, and looked like any other normal arrow now. She reached her hand out to Lan Jue and presented it to him.

"The Clairvoyant's visions were never wrong. He brought us together because he knew you'd lead me to Aubert. I'm giving this to you as recompense and reward. Other than I, only you and Qianlin can use it. Remember, it can only strike evil, and only seals it for a time. No matter how great the darkness, this arrow will banish it. However, it will need your blood before each use. Perhaps twice more, then it will have lost it's power. Use it with care."

"Thank you." Lan Jue carefully accepted the arrow from Granny Bize. The moment he took it in to his hands, he could feel a pulse, that matched his own. There was a flicker, then the arrow melted in to him.

Bize nodded her head. "The arrow came to be because of you and Qianlin's altruism. Now that it's returned, it will nourish you and your spirits."

Chapter 368: Why Didn't You Tell Me?

Indeed, just as Lilou Bize-Leroy said, he could feel the arrow strengthening him from within. The image of the Arrow of Compassion hung behind his eyelids, as though a mere thought would bring it back in to being.

Aubert de Villaine slowly made his way to Bize's side. "Bize," he began, "I…"

She cut him off with a sideways glance. "Remember what you said! Slave, those were the words – starting right now!"

Aubert was perhaps happier than any person who'd ever been coerced in to slavery before. After centuries, she had forgiven him – after a fashion. It meant they would finally be together again.

"I swear to you I will not repeat my past mistakes. No matter what – you could curse me, beat me, it doesn't matter – I'll be half a step from your side until the end. I'll use the remainder of my days paying you back for the wrong I committed. Wherever you go, I'll be there. Whatever you need me to do, will be done."

Lan Jue barely contained the wince he felt. He was all over her like white on rice.

It was, however, what Bize wanted to hear. Her features softened almost immediately. "You all may go. Come by once a year perhaps, we'll share the vintage we create. You can help bring us a few comforts that are difficult to get out here."

Aubert's brows shot up, then, as a thought came to him. He looked toward the Wine Master. "Actually, I was hoping I might beg a favor."

"Of course," he replied.

After a moment of consideration, Aubert continued. "My… plans get me in bed with some powerful people in the Western Alliance. With things as they are now, I have no interest in continuing that course of action. I suspect that with your power, together with Bize and my own, we could move Beaune to another location. Just somewhere else here on the planet. If you were to open a dimensional pocket for it, no one would come to trouble us."

There was a note of misgiving in the elderly vintner's voice. It was the Wine Master's time to mull things over, but after a second he replied. "If I may, predecessor, this cooperation you had with the West…"

Aubert shook his head. "I may have decided to change plans, but that doesn't mean I'm going to sell out my former business partners. Find out for yourselves if you must, but you won't hear it from me. You're also under no obligation to help us move, we can manage otherwise I'm sure."

"Not a problem," the Wine Master said hurriedly. "I'd be happy to lend my assistance. It looks as though my friend needs some more time to meditate regardless. Perhaps we could ask you for your hospitality for a few days."

The two old wine maker's nodded their wrinkled heads.

Three Paragons working in concert were capable of miraculous things. Beaune was no small town, but between the three of them, moving it would not be an issue.

The Wine Master turned his attention to Lan Jue. "Jewelry Master," he began. "Will you making preparations to stay, or will you be returning to the other teachers?"

He didn't need to think very long for an answer. "I'll be heading out, there are some other matters I need to take care of. Once they're settled I'll leave directly for the North. There's still the tournament to prepare for."

"Alright, then safe travels to you. The Pauper and I will return to Skyfire Avenue once business it concluded here. Keep safe," the Wine Master urged.

Lan Jue nodded. He turned, then, to the two gods of wine. "Congratulations on finding each other again. I have to be going."

Bize gave him a black look. "Lan Jue, Jewelry Master… whatever you name is, puppet, I don't care. Qianlin is my protégé, and if you upset her I'll chop your legs off. Understand?"

He could only grin awkwardly. "Not to worry. I'm off!"

Aubert reached out with a hand, and the mirror-flat bottom of the lake overhead split down the center. The beautiful sky of the Barrows was revealed. Lan Jue thanked them with a bow, then changed himself in to lightning and darted away.

The lake closed behind him. Once things were back to normal, Bize brought her eyes over to Aubert. The old man had a smile plastered on his craggy face. "Are you hungry, darling? I can make you some food."

The Wine Master was the very picture of poise, but even he couldn't suppress a chuckle at the cute old pair. In the end, it all worked out well – better, for in fact two of the great gods of wine still lived! He was terribly excited to stay here for a few days. Then there was this storage room Gates mentioned, with wines from over three hundred years ago…

ζ

Water exploded outward from the lake like a fountain, as Lan Jue blasted through the last few feet of water. In a flash, he was on the banks. His features were strange, struggling with a host of conflicting emotions. Microscopic bolts of lightning crackled behind his eyes. Silkworm Dharma… Mystic Raiment… Qianlin, you-

He pulled free a set of clothes he'd borrowed to give to Qianlin. He then shut his eyes. There was a flash of light, and the young woman appeared to separate from Lan Jue and appear at his side. She quickly scrambled to pluck up the clothes and put them on.

"Alright," she said, her voice thin and timid.

Lan Jue opened his eyes to find Zhou Qianlin staring right back. For a long time they just looked at one another.

He didn't even know how to begin, or how to face her. She'd given up a lot for him.

"Why didn't you tell me?" He asked.

"What would that have achieved," she said, as though she'd expected the question. "To earn some sympathy? Like it or not, I used my power. It's done, so what's the point in discussing it. I wasn't even using it, really, and at my speed I'll be back to ninth level in no time. I'm at no disadvantage, since Bize ensured that our powers are joined. With you here now, I can use a more offensive Discipline if needed. That's a net gain in the end."

Her words were soft, but the longer she went on the harder Lan Jue had to hold back. Seeing her like this – with her twinkling impish eyes and half-smile – he couldn't stop himself, and grabbed her up in a hug. She found herself pressed tightly against his warm chest.

Zhou Qianlin didn't know how to react. One second she was on the defensive, and the next she was caught in a bone-popping hug. A small turned the corners of her lips, while her head rested comfortably on his shoulder. Her fingers laced together behind his back.

"It was quite a scene. I wouldn't have thought Granny Bize would have spilled the beans, but here we are – I'm embarrassed. Should I go speak to her?" Qianlin asked.

Lan Jue shook his head. "There will be other opportunities to meet with her. Qianlin… thank you, for everything you've done for me. Thank you for saving my life."

Qianlin's body stiffened as she pushed him away. "This is why I didn't tell you – because I don't want your thanks. My sister would have done the same thing. I'm just here to help, and I know that the only woman in your heart is my sister. That's proven by the fact that you're still single, even despite being surrounded by beautiful girls. It hurts sometimes, but it also makes me happy for my sister. At the very least, she picked a good guy. If she were still alive, you two would be very happy."

"If you are really grateful for the help I've given, then I beg you not to say you like me as some sort of payback. If we do get together someday, I want it because we grew to that point naturally. I don't want it to be because you feel like you owe me something. Love shouldn't be built on compensation. Alright?"

As Qianlin lectured him, her features were calm and even. She stared at him with an earnest look. It was a look that silenced Lan Jue. There was a lot he'd wanted to say, but under her stare he simply pursed his lips and nodded.

"Alright, I promise."

"This was a very unexpected thing," Qianlin said. She drew closer to him again, smiling sweetly. "Who could have predicted this would have happened? Poor Granny Bize, harboring a three hundred year old heartache. Well, where to next? I don't know if the tourist party has gone yet or not."

Lan Jue shrugged. "Whether they have or not, we can't go back. We've got somewhere else to visit – to save someone."

"Save someone?" Zhou Qianlin gave him a strange look. Quickly, though, her face returned to normal. "It isn't another girl, is it?"

"Ehm… yeah. Yeah it is," he replied.

"I figured. This guy…" Qianlin said with a frown.

Lan Jue almost sputtered, trying to get his response out as quick as possible. "That's why I'm bringing you! Under your supervision, I'll toe the line, right? If I mess up you can beat me up. What do you think?"

She snorted a laugh at his expense. "Fine, just remember you said it. I won't go easy."

"Alright. Just don't hit so hard you hurt yourself," Lan Jue said with faux concern. "And proper ladies don't curse."

"You're a proper lady!" Qianlin pouted.

"Off we go!" Lan Jue grabbed her hand without warning, and the two of them were off like a streak.

As they tore through the sky, Lan Jue ruminated on the new information he'd received. The first thing he noted, was his growing affection for Zhou Qianlin. More importantly, though, that wall between them felt as though it was much thinner.

Maybe all they needed was time. Lately, there was evidence enough for Lan Jue to take heart.

It didn't take them long to find a public use air terminal. Lan Jue was worried he'd run in to Richard, but he was nowhere to be seen. Apparently the Pauper's methods had been effective. A peak-level Adept's threats were not to be taken lightly. It appeared as though Richard's own ninth-ranked Adept protector had convinced the young politician's son to leave. Hence their lack of trouble.

But before they boarded the ship for the next long leg of their journey, Lan Jue decided to take Zhou Qianlin out for a nice meal. Things had been strange and emotional, so some good food would be appreciated.

It was a wonderful dining experience, even considering the fare was entirely vegetarian. Still, a shadow of anxiety still lurked in the recesses of Lan Jue's heart. Where they were going next, would be a lot more dangerous than Beaune.

Chapter 369: Eurmania

"Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, boarding will begin shortly for the Holy City of Reims, capital of Eurmania. At this time we'd like you to gather your personal effects and prepare to disembark. We'd like to invite our first- and business-class passengers to please board the aircraft at this time."

Lan Jue and Zhou Qianlin were recovering from their large meal when the broadcast came over the loudspeakers. They were staring at each other, smiling.

"Good timing," Qianlin commended. "Just as we finish, it's time to go."

"Not really. Eurmania's the capital of the Western Alliance, so there are many flights a day. Come, we should get on," he said.

"Alright."

Lan Jue certainly wouldn't skimp on his own comfort, so he'd bought the two of them first-class cabins. He figured he deserved it. They scoured a planet, got in to a fight, drank poison, then almost died. It was a busy few weeks, so when he sank in to that comfortable chair Lan Jue immediately sunk in to slumber.

Qianlin curled up in the chair beside him, and watched him sleep. Her face bore a small, delicate smile, but her eyes were troubled. There was something she was pondering.

ζ

Eurmania, thankfully, wasn't far from the Barrows. The flight would take them two days. Lan Jue slept for near a full day before finally waking.

Airships were not friendly spaces for cultivation. The passengers cherished peace and quiet above all things, but they didn't always get it. Like their narrowly avoided calamity on the way to the Barrows, sometimes things happen. When meditating to cultivate one's Discipline, absolute silence was needed but – more importantly – so was stillness. The gently bumping and rocking airship wasn't a good choice.

But Lan Jue refused to be idle. Deep meditation was off the table, but a lighter introspection would suffice. He could also use this opportunity to teach Qianlin a little bit more about controlling his Discipline.

"All your deception really caused me a lot of extra work. Had I known you were ninth-ranked… Qianlin, I have a question," Lan Jue Said.

"Go on."

"When you sister…" Lan Jue began. "She was a ninth ranked Adept. I never did find out what her Discipline was. Was it the same as yours?"

Qianlin looked at him for a moment before speaking. "Probably, but maybe a little different. Neither of ours were much use in a fight, though."

Lan Jue nodded in understanding. "Hera was one hell of a pilot. God-ranked. Her Discipline didn't amplify her suit's attack, but it did pump up it's energy stores. You've got a talent for piloting, too. With effort you could be just as good."

Qianlin shot him a glance. "You want me to be better than her?"

"No…" Lan Jue's eyes stared off for half a second. "That's not what I'm saying. I just want to make sure you have the ability to protect yourself. With your sister gone…"

Zhou Qianlin was silent, and Lan Jue didn't further disturb the stillness. Both of them stared at the carpeted floor, lost in their own thoughts.

ζ

Although the trip wasn't long, Lan Jue felt like they'd made good progress in improving Qianlin's control. Two days passed quickly, and before they knew it they were on approach to the Holy City of Reims.

In stark contrast to the natural beauty of the Barrows, Eurmania was overflowing with modern flavor. It was a gorgeous place, very similar to tales of what old Earth looked like. It had been discovered one hundred and eight years ago by the West. Development of the planet began immediately afterward, and no expense was spared. To ensure it's resources and further development, the West made Eurmania its capital.

One particularly special characteristic of this place was its days. In a forty-eight hour day, thrity-six of them the city was bathed in sunlight.

They wasted no time once the ship landed. They followed the crowds out in to the streets of Reims. Throngs of people wandered along the pristine streets, and many of them wore the traditional black pastor's smock. They walked with gentle grace, easy smiles, and the light of fervent devotion in their eyes.

Lan Jue felt the Spirit Caller gem warm against his chest. Zhou Qianlins voice filled his mind:

Qianlin: The person we're here to save lives in Reims? Not in the Cathedral, I hope…

Lan Jue: Clever girl.

Qianlin stopped in her tracks and stared at Lan Jue with open shock. He grabbed her hand and tugged her along quickly, which brought Qianlin back to her senses.

Qianlin: The Pontiff's Citadel?

Lan Jue: It looks like you know quite a lot about the world of Adepts!

After a moment of silence, her voice replied: This is really dangerous. What's your plan?

Take it easy, first we'll wander around town some. We're not going to find our target right away. The Pontiff is in the Cathedral, he commands it personally. Safety has to be priority. Obviously a direct play is suicide, so we'll have to succeed through wit.

Qianlin nodded her agreement, but didn't say anything else.

Lan Jue used the GPS on his communicator to find a nearby hotel, choosing something mid-range. Once they got settled, they could continue their conversation.

"Hello, and welcome. May I ask what sort of room you're interested in?" The receptionist greeted them with a friendly smile.

"A suite please, with a queen-sized bed," Lan Jue answered.

Qianlin, upon hearing the arrangements, couldn't keep her face from reddening. Although the situation with their Discipline meant nothing could happen, the prospect made her bashful.

After a few more moments the keys were handed over, and Lan Jue took up Qianlin's hand. They sought out the door to their new living arrangements, on the top of the six-floor building. Lan Jue had requested it specifically because it allowed him to look out across the whole city.

At the Northern edge there was the Reims Square, a massive public square capable of accomidating three hundred thousand people. It was three hundred and forty meters long, and two hundred and forty meters across 1. It was constructed in a semi-circular fashion, where the edges were bordered by a covered walkway. It was supported by two hundred and eighty-four white marble doric columns. Underneath the canopied path, one hundred and forty-two statues of influential Citidelian saints and sages watched passers-by. Their eyes in particular were masterfully carved, so that it seemed as though they were sentient. All of this was right outside their hotel window.

When they entered the room, Lan Jue shut the door and wandered over to the window. He let his eyes scan out over the horizon, while Qianlin inspected their suite. It was essentially an apartment; with a bathroom, bedroom and living room. It wasn't an overly large space – maybe fifty square meters, average for a suite.

Once Qianlin was done looking things over, she walked to Lan Jue's side. She peered out the window as well. "What can you see from all the way up here?"

Lan Jue grinned. "I can see the whole Cathedral. First we observe, then we find a way in. I'm afraid the front door isn't an option."

"Is there anyone who might recognize you?" She asked.

"Um… Maybe." Lan Jue said. "Probably more than a few, if I'm being honest. We aren't on the best of terms."

Qianlin folded her arms. "Are you ever going to tell me who we're here to save?"

"The Moonfiend Empress, mistress of the Shattered Starfields' Moonfiend pirates."

Qianlin blinked at him.

"A pirate? We're here to save a pirate? Don't you hate pirates?" She said incredulously.

He shook his head. "She's different. The Moonfiend pirates are the biggest and strongest pirate clan in the Starfields. They control one of the three ruling planets. Since she took over, there have been much fewer raids. The Moonfiends also don't kill – they're only interested in plunder. Things are much calmer and much safer, in comparison, with her in charge."

She still looked skeptical. "No other reason?"

Lan Jue gave her a helpless, exasperated look. "Does there need to be any other reason? We used to be friends. Back when I was a mercenary, I was in the Starfields to eradicate the pirate threat. I came upon the Moonfiend Pirates – at that time still small – battling against a stronger clan. I didn't think any of these scum deserved to live, so I was just waiting for my opportunity to end both groups. But then I saw her out there. She was young, my age."

Qianlin chuckled and patted his shoulder. "Being a little generous with ourselves, aren't we?"

This brought a chuckle from Lan Jue. "You want to hear or not?"

She nodded. "I do," she said through her grin.

He went on. "I was still with your sister then, but she hadn't come with me. I just continued to watch, and to my surprise the tides turned. The Moonfiend pirates were outnumbered and outgunned, but well organized. Eventually, they managed to win. I was curious, and still preparing for my assault. So, once all was said and done, and the Moonfiend were victorious, I showed myself. She met me face to face, already injured from battle, and demanded a dual for the lives of her people. Of course, I won – but I found that her Discipline was strange. It was light-based."

"As now I'm sure you know, an Adept's Discipline is a reflection of who they are as a person – their spirit. More often than not, those with a light Discipline have good hearts. Of course, there are always exceptions. I asked about her history, but she didn't tell me. Instead, she told me her cause. She said she wanted to bring order to the chaos of the Shattered Starfields. She would create humanity's fourth Alliance. I liked how it sounded, and I thought it would end in a net positive for everyone."

"The Starfields are a complicated place. Reaching a solution through brute force is impossible and ill-advised. Clearly, the area would do much better under some sort of governance. We wouldn't have to worry about the development of dangerous weapons since the terrain prevented it. It both protected and restricted them. Who could say whether her miracle would come true, but at least it might reduce the number of pirate-related deaths, I thought. So, I told her they would be allowed to live if they followed three tenets; become the leading pirate clan within three years, don't kill anyone, and maintain order to prevent any more massacres from occurring."

1. So like three football fields including end zones, which according to math I'm too lazy to do, would be able to hold 74,000 people. I dunno what magic is going on in Reims but I'll pass, thanks.

Chapter 370: The Operation Commences

"She agreed, and in the end it had taken less than three years. In that time, the Moonfiend pirates had become the strongest clan in the whole of the Shattered Starfields. About then, I also discovered that she had hailed from the Pontiff's Citadel."

Afterwards, Lan Jue had come to rely on the Empress' intelligence to protect him from Citadelian patrols during his adventures.

"I have a question," Zhou Qianlin said, after hearing Lan Jue's tale.

Lan Jue nodded. "What's that?"

"If we're going to face the Citadel, why didn't you bring the Wine Master?" She asked. "He's right there on the Barrows – I'm sure he'll help if you ask."

Lan Jue shook his head at the suggestion. "I haven't told the Wine Master anything about all this. If it were just me then it wouldn't much of an issue. Even if I was captured, the Citadel wouldn't dare anger the Avenue. With two new Paragons in the East, they'd have to be crazy to harm me. There would be some sort of exchange or ransom, and that'd be the end of it."

"Secondly, this is a personal matter and doesn't have any connection to the Avenue. If I did drag them in to this, then it'll be two powerful organizations at each others' throat instead of a few people's problem. The Empress is also an important part of their organization; she used Fantascia Genetica to empower herself to the rank of Six-Wing Seraph, the Morning Star. So this is an internal matter, making it even more inappropriate for the Avenue to get involved."

"When we first came to the West with the Wine Master, I was considering asking him for help. With his help our chances of success are much higher, of course. But there are risks and consequences. If it was revealed that he was involved, the Citadel would undoubtedly have to respond. Although the differences in power between the Wine Master and the Pontiff aren't enormous, the leader of the Citadel is still stronger. Not to mention, this is his home turf. The Wine Master really wouldn't stand a chance under conditions like that – hell, we just saw what could happen on the Barrows. With the Wine Master preoccupied, we'd have to handle the rest; the Lord of the Archangels, Metatron – nearly a Paragon himself – and the six Archangels. Even if there were three of me, we'd be far outmatched. It'd be a hopeless, all-out fight to the death which no one wants. So after pondering, I decided it would not be a good idea to trouble the Wine Master about it. This is my own operation, and doesn't involve either the Avenue or the Citadel. I can't let my own issues instigate a conflict between two great Adept organizations."

Qianlin nodded in understanding and agreement. It was indeed as Lan Jue had determined, everything here came down to on person. Elevating this to involve an entire group would make it a very different beast that could very well lead to confrontation.

"So what's the plan? Direct force isn't an option, so we'll have to be clever as you said. Are you familiar with this place?" Qianlin asked.

Lan Jue chortled. "Of course not. This is the first time I've ever set foot in Reims. But even the Pontiff's Citadel has to use electricity, and where's there's electricity there's a way in. We can't run in half-cocked, though. Not only are we getting Little Yue out, but we also need to protect our identities so it doesn't bring trouble."

Qianlin shot him a sideways glance. "Little Yue, so intimate…"

Lan Jue grinned at her. "When you're handsome you can't avoid getting some attention."

She kind of wanted to punch him in his smug face, but she knew it wouldn't have ended well. Anyway, she didn't really want to hurt him.

They had a bite to eat, then left the hotel room. Instead of going to the Cathedral, however, their first stop was the shopping mall. If they wanted to protect their identities, they'd have to blend in. A change of clothes was the place to start.

Lan Jue bought what he assumed was a middle-income set of clothing and accessories for both he and Qianlin. Of course, Qianlin's outfit was a little more involved. It was necessary, considering the little they'd brought with them.

All of the buildings and shops that they passed had a religious theme. A crucifix hung above every doorway. A handsome man and a beautiful woman captured quite a lot of glances as they walked from store to store, so Lan Jue decided to buy a pair of large glasses to help hide his face. Although they were just frames, it served to conceal him well 1. He would have preferred sunglasses, but those were not allowed to be worn inside the Cathedral. It was considered disrespectful.

Once they'd made their purchases, they decided to leave. Exiting the shops, however, they were met with a very luxurious verti-car blocking the way. It was descending noisily from above, projecting light over it's intended landed spot. People hustled to get out of the way.

Lan Jue felt his heart skip a beat. He grabbed Qianlin's hand, and pulled her to the side. The verti-car doors hissed open, and a man emerged. It was a man Lan Jue knew, had even confronted – the Archangel of Healing, Raphael.

Today, he was clad in ash-gray pants and vest. A dark-colored tie sat against a white colored shirt. He looked for all the world like a perfct gentleman. The Angel of Healing entered the shop without loitering around. Luckily, Lan Jue had pulled Qianlin aside just in time. Had he not, they'd had have run straight in to him.

An Adept's aura, their strength, intermingled with the strength of others when revealed. Strength attracted strength. Raphael had no need to hide his abilities here in Reims. Lan Jue, however, had to be careful – revealing his aura would immediately give him away.

"Who's he?" Zhou Qianlin asked.

"Raphael, the Archangel of Healing," Lan Jue responded.

Her face darkened. "He's one of the ones who ambushed you."

Lan Jue nodded.

"He's by himself," she whispered. "Should we just deal with him?"

Lan Jue barely suppressed a laugh. "This is the Holy City of Reims 2. It'd be unwise to confront him here…" However, just as Lan Jue said this, a light shone in his eyes. A plan was forming. "Or would it…"

Lan Jue knew that when facing enemies stronger than yourself, the first step is to conceal your objective. If the enemy doesn't know what you're after, they can't keep you from it.

Raphael wasn't the weakest of the six Archangels, but he was lower on the roster. He was a support Adept, so his direct attack power was limited. With he and Qianlin hand in hand, Raphael wouldn't be much a problem.

Lan Jue's mind worked quickly. He only had a second, and in that second his plan was formalized.

"Let's go." Lan Jue pulled Zhou Qianlin back in to the store behind him. Raphael, as expected, wasn't taking any effort to conceal his powers – his aura pulsed visibly. Even separated by walls and floors, Lan Jue knew where he was. There was no rush, so Lan Jue slowly and quietly lead Qianlin upstairs toward where Raphael lounged.

Third floor – that was their destination. It looked like a clothing accessories store, and the Angel of Healing was trying on a new wardrobe. Lan Jue turned right around and left the shop.

"We're not going after him here?" Qianlin asked.

"We are, but not this minute," Lan Jue explained. "These sorts of stores are almost certainly being monitored with surveillance video. We're always being watched, there's no hiding. All the Citadel would have to do is review the tape, and they'd know it was us. First, we'll have to solve the surveillance issue."

Qianlin noticed a peculiar light in Lan Jue's eyes. "I never would have thought you're such a pro at this."

"Pro," Lan Jue snorted. "This is all just common sense."

Qianlin answered with a snort of laughter. "Alright. Common sense, then. Lan Jue, can you promise me something?"

"What." He replied.

"We're here to save people. I don't want anyone hurt. People who come after you, that's fine, but these shop owners are just living their lives…"

Lan Jue smiled in the face of her kindness. "Relax. The Arrow of Compassion is still part of me. Like Bize said, if I do anything improper than the arrow will punish me for it. This is why she gave it to me, and not to you. She has faith in your kindness. For her, I'm still a question mark. She never said it, but I'm sure this arrow was her way of keeping an eye on me."

Qianlin's response sounded anxious. "Will this have some sort of impact on you?"

He shook his head. "No. At most it'll just limit some of my options. This was a weapon made through the power of a Paragon after all. I don't want to mess with that. I've never harmed an innocent anyway."

They returned to the first floor of the shop as they spoke. The whole time Lan Jue searched for the surveillance control room – for him, it wouldn't be difficult to find.

Electricity was everywhere, and Lan Jue's own electric Discipline helped to highlight where the energies were strongest. This shop – unlike the Cathedral of Reims – did not have defenses in place to keep Adepts out. So, Lan Jue did what would be considered suicide for any normal man and stuck his finger in a nearby socket. Through the coursing volts of electricity, he was able to follow them to the surveillance control room. Among Adepts with this ability, they referred it as creating a dynamic conduit.

Through the sensations he picked up in the electricity, Lan Jue was quickly able to find the location of the security surveillance room. Taking Zhou Qianlin once more by the hand, he lead her quietly to their objective.

1. Otherwise known as the Superman Effect.

2. I'm not sure if this has been mentioned, but this is a very typical Chinese response for certain things. 'Ths is China' is used any time the speaker wants to apologize for their country or chastise foreigners. Holy shit, is my taxi driver smashed on rice wine? 'This is China.' My boss just forced me to wake up at 5:30 to work an extra three hours with no pay. 'This is China.' What do you mean I can't pay my cellphone bill without showing you my passport? 'This is China.' Here, 'This is Reims' is used similarly to explain in a somewhat derogatory tone that her idea is stupid.

Chapter 371: Raphael and His Tailor

What happened next was simple; a ninth level Adept had no trouble dealing with the normal security – little more effort than lifting a finger. Lan Jue didn't even need to enter the room. He urged his electric Discipline through a nearby outlet, shorting out all of the equipment within. At the very least, all of their surveillance footage for the day was lost.

It was quick, and quiet. Those in the shop were none the wiser. Still, they'd left a mess and wanted to vacate as soon as possible. They returned to the third floor.

Raphael was still there. He was trying on clothes while chatting with the tailor. She was a woman who looked to be in her thirties. Her long black hair was stark against a white blouse with the sleeves rolled up. Agile fingers pulled her crimped hair back in to a pony tail, accentuating her long pale neck.

Lan Jue and Zhou Qianlin watched from a distance. Raphael and the tailor seemed well acquainted. They would laugh together from time to time. She swatted at his shoulder from some comment he'd made.

One constant among the Archangels was their beauty. Each one of them looked as though they were sculpted by the hand of God himself. They certainly didn't have to try in order to attract attention, especially from women.

Raphael had replaced his outfit with a pale yellow three-piece suit, purple shirt and white tie. He looked like Spring, given flesh.

Lan Jue couldn't help but smirk. "This guy, desperately trying to act the young man. Fresh colors won't hide his age. It looks like he and the Gourmet share the same taste in tailors."

Qianlin blinked at him. "You mean the Gourmet and the Seamstress…?"

Lan Jue nodded. "They made it official not long ago. I'll bring you along when they hold the wedding. 1"

"Great! So, when do we make out move?" Qianlin nervously said.

Lan Jue produced two butterfly masks he'd picked up while shopping, and handed one to Qianlin. "Soon."

Zhou Qianlin's face reddened. "Should we…"

Her companion chortled, but did steal a glance at her delicate lips. "It won't be necessary to handle Raphael. Let's go, he's in for a surprise."

ζ

Raphael's appreciation for this store wasn't simply because of the well-tailored clothes, but clearly involved the tailor – Julie. She was famous in the Holy City. In fact, Raphael wasn't the only one interested in her, for Gabriel had also expressed some interest. In the end, Raphael had been more direct and more charming.

It was obvious to everyone that this was not Raphael's first lover, or his last. Archangels were always in demand, and the only thing that mattered was bliss in the moment.

"Mh. Yes, very good. It's a little young, but it'll be suitable during springtime." Julie looked him over with a small smile.

This was what Raphael appreciated about her. Man or women, someone who took pride in their work was to be respected.

Julie could feel his burning gaze on her. She raised her head, just as Raphael leaned down to plant a kiss on her lips. His deep voice whispered, "What would you say about spending a little private time? Just to clear our heads."

The tailor's face reddened slightly, and she gently bumped a fist against his chest. "What sort of Archangel are you? It's the middle of the day, you aren't afraid of upsetting the Father?"

Raphael smiled disarmingly. "How's that? We aren't in the Cathedral. And you're my girl, there's nothing wrong with this. 'We love because He first loved us'; Book of John, chapter four verse sixteen. My affection for you comes from the heart, and thus the body yearns!"

Julie slipped from his grasp, but her expression showed that his words were working. Raphael didn't insist – he enjoyed the chase. He was a mature adult, and patience was a virtue.

The Archangel took another look at his suit. Julie had done a fine job, she was very familiar with his dimensions. Her suits were always perfectly fitted.

"Hello. I'm so sorry to trouble you, but is this shop open for business?" A pleasing voice interrupted their exchange.

Both Raphael and Julie swung their eyes to the door. The tailor's face was no longer red, and she smiled amicably. However, a strange look came over her when she saw who'd addressed them. They were certainly a strange couple, these two. Both had the bottom parts of their face hidden behind a face-mask.

Raphael scowled in irritation. "It's too early for Halloween, and this isn't a costume shop."

A gentle titter came from the woman. "No it's not, but we felt like having a little fun. It doesn't change our need for a new wardrobe."

Julie approached, full of professionalism. "Absolutely, please come in. Please don't worry, we take pains to ensure completely anonymity of our customers."

Raphael said nothing further. Instead, he busied himself with admiring the suit. His plan was to return to the Cathedral wearing it, to make the other Archangels jealous. The Citadel imposed very few restrictions on the Archangels. They were often out and about integrating with the populace and, although they were devout, details tended to go unnoticed when they weren't under the Pontiff's watchful eye.

"I heard that the men of Reims were all very gentlemanly. Is that true?" It was the man who'd spoken this time. His voice sounded hoarse.

Julie continued with the small talk. "Oh, that must mean you aren't from here. I can't hear an accent, though."

The couple slowly traipsed closer their way. The man laughed again. "We're not from here. I was just curious whether His Excellency Raphael, the great Archangel of Healing, cared whether you lived or died."

Raphael had just been preparing to go, when he stopped in his tracks. His face changed suddenly, and grew dark with anger. However, before he could react, a milky white light enveloped Julie and separated her from the others. Shock was written clear on the tailor's face, but in a testament to her character she remained calm.

The angel's skin took on a radiant, divine glow. From beneath his feet arose a soothing pale light. But the murder in his eyes was anything but holy. He fixed the masked man with a cold stare. His deep voice filled the shop. "That is not a very funny joke."

He hadn't felt anything menacing since their pair had entered Julie's store. Neither of them let off an aura, either. More importantly, however, was the fact that they stood in the near center of Reims. This was the home of the Pontiff's Citadel, with all of the organizations most powerful players minutes away – including the Pontiff himself. No Adept would dare make trouble here, and the normal folk were all strict adherents to their religion. Using belief as a means of control worked better than Skyfire Avenue's methods by a large margin.

Lan Jue, of course the man behind the mask, chuckled dismissively. "My time is precious, and I wouldn't want to waste it making jokes about His Excellency. Now, if the Lord Raphael does indeed care for the life of this beautiful woman, we ask that you seal your Discipline and take a walk with us."

Raphael was equal parts stunned and infuriated. "Do you think you can threaten me with this? Since you seem to know who I am, you should know this isn't going to end well for you."

Lan Jue looked at Julie, and grunted. "It appears His Excellency the Archangel isn't as fond of you as he lets on. He isn't willing to make any sort of exchange."

Julie's calm exterior never cracked. "None of this instigation is necessary. I never wanted to bring any harm to him – Raphael, go. They're here for you, just leave me here. Go!" There was an almost fervent air about her, like Raphael had completely brainwashed her.

Raphael had indeed been prepared to leave, but her words touched him. His mind reflected on the… benefits of her company. Pretty things were as transient as the clouds, but his affection was deeper for her than for any of his former lovers. Perhaps he could love this woman, until she grew old.

That split-second of hesitation was all that the pair needed. The man waved his right hand, the world around them began to swirl nauseatingly. Raphael felt a strange sensation race through him, as up become down and left became right. Even his Discipline was writhing and twisting inside him like a ball of worms.

What power was this? Raphael turned pale with fright, for right then he could feel that both his attackers were stronger than he. Under circumstances like this, he had but one recourse. His Light Discipline flooded through him and burst forth as he prepared to flee.

In the end, his own life was the most important. All vestiges of chivalry and valor were gone. He was already thinking about revenge, not how to save his 'beloved.'

Whoosh! Raphael rushed out of the tailor's as fast as he could. Although Julie's pleas had been true and impassioned, her face fell when she saw him flee with no thought for her.

1. In China, the marriage process is different than you might expect. It's a long, laborious celebration laden with tradition and ceremony. It BEGINS with you and your spouse signing the wedding papers. From that point on, you're legally married. However, the actual wedding celebration won't occur for another six months to a year in some cases (seven months for mine). During that time all the preparations are made for the wedding, parties are held, groomsmen and bridesmaids carefully selected, and ultimately a date settled upon by your local astronomer.

Chapter 372: Captured! Angel of Healing

He could hear Lan Jue's voice, faint but biting: "This guy is worthless."

In a flash, the two figured who had assaulted Julie were gone from her side.

Raphael stumbled through the store, headed for the window. From there his communicator could get a signal out the Citadel for help. These two were strong, but they couldn't be any higher than ninth rank – neither were Paragons. It would take time for them to take him down, if that was their aim, hopefully long enough for his friends to arrive. At the moment, Julie was completely gone from his memory. Surviving was paramount.

Just then, a strange attractive force caused him to stagger. It was coming from behind, pulling him away from freedom. In the next instant the world was spinning all around him. Reality warped, and a stifling pressure bore down on him with strength enough to shatter bone.

It was terrifying. Raphael had never experienced this level of suppression. The power of these strangers had the entire area under their control.

Was this… a Paragon's Domain?

Stunned as he was, he hardly noticed the pair of hands groping toward him; one black, and one white. He summoned the loudest shout he muster, and brought his Discipline to bear as a shield. It was just in time, for no sooner had his shield materialized than a series of blue flashes began to assail him. Somehow the power penetrated his shields, shocking him and constraining his abilities.

The massive hands came crashing down upon him, slamming in to the circle of holy light at his feet. There was a terrible sound, like glass crackling, then Raphael's protective shell exploded in a shower of twinkling light.

Real fear was reflected in the Archangel's wide eyes. These foes were even stronger than he'd thought, and there were two against just him. On top of that, he'd never even seen this strange Discipline before.

Raphael focused the entirety of his remaining energy in to the palms of his hands. With a grunt, he shoved them both forward and released the energy in a staggering shock wave. His hope was to push his enemies back enough to make an escape.

However, just as the blast of energy left his hands, the world before him spun dizzyingly. A vortex swelled in to view just in front of him that dispersed his last-ditch effort.

It was a new sensation for him, and one that was entirely unpleasant. He'd never come across a power that could negate his holy energies in such a way. It was, in a word, incomprehensible.

He looked on as the masked woman appeared. From the center of her chest, she extended a palm toward him that was wreathed in tendrils of violet electricity. Raphael went flying.

That vacuum force returned, sucking him forward despite the crushing force that had blown him back. The large black and white hands reacted as well, reaching for him. Raphael felt like he was caught in molasses, unable to move. Although he desperately fought to withstand them, he had no more energy to do so.

The two hands clapped down on his shoulders, and again the world went spinning. Raphael felt his innards warp with it, like they were trying to tear themselves apart. Every inch of him felt as though it were being pulled in a hundred different directions.

The world went black.

All of this happened in the space of a spark. Julie had freed herself, and rushed outside just in time to see the hands lay Raphael flat. He was limp, and the masked man lifted him easily from the floor with a single hand. He flung the unconscious Archangel over his shoulder before approaching her.

"Y-you…" Julie shook, both from fear and surprise. Even under duress, she never doubted the strength of Raphael. These terrorists couldn't have been stronger than he, she'd thought. To her, the Pontiff's Six Archangels were synonymous with unbeatable. However, what she was looking at now disproved that. These two were stronger than her sweet Raphael. Her brave, strong, valiant Angel of Healing was slung like a slain mongrel over this man's shoulder. It was unthinkable… something that she would never have thought within the realm of possibility.

"When his friends get here, tell the Citadel that I've taken him. Let's see who I get next…" He let the words hang in the air for a moment. Then, with a nod to Qianlin, the two of them and their sleeping prize vanished in a flash of lightning.

When turned to electricity, Lan Jue didn't have the capabilities or bringing someone with him. What he could do, though, was store a person in his interspacial container. At Raphael's level of cultivation, it would be a couple days before he suffocated to death.

Lan Jue was already familiar with the layout. They exited out in to the market while removing their masks. Then, with the change in clothes they'd just purchased in hand, they went in to the bathroom to change.

A few minutes later two entirely different people exited, or so it seemed. Even Julie would have a hard time recognizing them if she was walking right passed. They headed for the market's exit as an alarm screeched in the distance. They simply walked on, strolling by the shops like they hadn't a care in the world.

It wasn't until they reached the hotel room and shut the door behind them, that Qianlin felt safe enough to let out a sigh. She looked at Lan Jue and saw the light of excitement in his eyes. It was a different experience for her – she'd never kidnapped anybody before!

There was a flash of silver light, and Raphael appeared on the ground before them. He was still unconscious.

During their confrontation, Lan Jue was careful not to use any of his thunderbolt Discipline. Instead, he used his Discipline to empower his Taiji 1. Zhou Qianlin, in contrast, gleefully employed the electrical attacks of their shared Discipline with one hand, while the other was wrapped around his waist. Through the Soul Caller gemstone they were able to communicate instantly, silently, and with precision. Under Lan Jue's command their coordination was flawless.

Raphael was unique – all of the Archangels were. However, he had never really been a match for Lan Jue individually, not to mention his support-based Discipline. In the face of two ninth level seventh rank Adepts, he didn't stand a snowball's chance in hell. Part of that, too, was the presence of Lan Jue's Taiji martial power. Such a spiritual based manifestation was almost certainly nothing like what he was familiar with.

Lan Jue sharply slapped Raphael's forhead. The actions was met with a crackle of electricity that raced all across his body, making the angel flop like a fish on the carpet.

"What are you doing?!" Zhou Qianlin asked with a start.

"These sorts of Disciplines rely on occultism," Lan Jue explained. "They'll certainly have him tracked with some sort of spell. With a net of protogenic energy, I can locked that power away so he's no more traceable to them than we are. Now we get to watch as the Citadel goes crazy."

He'd walked to the window as he spoke, and looked out over the city. Just as forecast, it was only a few minutes before scores of guards dressed in Citadelian habit poured from the Cathedral doors. He could also see the faint light of a pulsing Discipline somewhere inside. Lan Jue was right – their response time was very fast. A minute or two too late, and they'd have been in real trouble.

ζ

"What? Someone kidnapped Rafael?" Shock twisted Metatron's perfect features. What he was hearing was impossible.

This was the Holy City of Reims! How could there possibly be someone mad enough to take an Archangel? More importantly, they grabbed him without a sound, without a trace. The Citadel was entirely in the dark.

The Pontiff didn't trouble himself with most matters of the Citadel. Those clerical duties fell largely to the Lord of Archangels. There was a reason for this, and Metatron quickly put away his surprise to get down to business. A chilly calm calm over him.

"Summon the Messenger of Death, Gabriel. And call for the Cherubim Uriel as well… we'll have to go take a look for ourselves."

Ten minutes later, three of the strongest Adepts in the Pontiff's employ were standing in the tailor shop. Julie was among them, stunned.

These men knew Julie. The Archangels were close, and knew of one anothers' exploits. Gabriel, with knit brow, was first to speak. "Tell us what happened, and don't leave out any detail."

The tailor took a deep breath to calm her nerves. "Raphael was here trying on some clothes. Then, two people came in. They wore face masks that covered their nose and mouth…"

She spend the next few minutes going over everything that had happened, from beginning to end. Julie had a good memory, and the traumatic experience wasn't likely one she was quick to forget.

"'Let's see who I get next'?" Metatron's handsome face bore a beautiful fury. This sort of arrogance was certainly their way of angering the Citadel.

Gabriel went on. "The Inquisition is already looking for them 2. Should we let Constantine know?"

Metatron nodded. "Yes. This whole thing is very unusual. Obviously they're targeting the Citadel. I tried to locate him back in the Cathedral but could find no trace, so it's likely they have him sealed away somehow. We have to be prepared, because they certainly were. Come, let's check the security footage and see if we can pick up any details. Then we'll go to the market, the shop that sells those masks. Perhaps the shop owner can remember something. Someone get on the communicator with the Inquisition and tell them the Holy City is now under martial law. Get lists of all foreign nationals staying in local hotels, with pictures. Leave no stone unturned."

Metatron was a master at his job, and he put his full intellect to the problem at hand. With clarity and without hesitation, their plan of action was implemented.

"If this attack was deliberate then we're unlikely to find any evidence," Uriel mused. "The assailants probably took this all in to account. I'd be surprised if we find anything at all. Should we bring this to His Majesty?"

1. I can't recall how I wrote this before – either Taiji or Tai Chi – but if I wrote Tai Chi then I was either drunk or negligent because that's a terrible way to translate/spell it. It's Taiji going forward, just know they're the same.

2. In case you aren't history buffs or fans of Monty Python, the Inquisition was a group of organization that were tasked with stamping out heresy, and anti-church sentiment. The most famous was probably the Spanish Inquisition who killed hundreds of Jews and forcibly converted thousands of others. All together, it's estimated the inquisition killed between three thousand and five thousand people.

Chapter 373: Without a Trace

Metatron nodded his head. "This isn't something we'll be able to sweep under the rug. I'll return to the Cathedral and ask the Pontiff for further instructions. From this point forward, you aren't to leave each others' sight. If you encounter the enemy, report it immediately. If what the tailor said is true, then they weren't just here for Raphael."

Uriel nodded in agreement.

They soon discovered that Uriel's predictions were right; the equipment had been destroyed and there was no way they could recover the day's footage. They did manage to find the shop where the masks had been sold, but the owner was no help. He noticed the masks were gone, and the money for them was in the till – and yet, he couldn't for the life of him remember anyone coming in to purchase them.

Gabriel sent for someone to come examine the money in the hopes of finding fingerprints. They did – several hundred, in fact. The money they'd used was too well worn to even hold complete prints, so most were fragments anyhow.

Their only lead had been cut. Uriel anticipated the results of the hotel sweep to be a bust as well. These terrorists knew what they were doing, as evident by the complete lack of clues.

The whole atmosphere of the Holy City reacted. A thick anxiety hung over the city like a fog. Inquisitors swept through every street and lane. Every hotel was scoured and their logs confiscated. Everyone couple was stopped, especially the young ones, as the search ramped up.

Still, nothing.

Lan Jue had, of course, come prepared. Fake IDs had been used to book their rooms, which claimed they were from some large company here on business. When the Inquisition eventually knocked on their door, Lan Jue met them with an easy smile. He was even so haughty as to drop hints, but they never caught on.

It looks like they don't know anything. What's next? After the Inquisition left, Qianlin spoke with Lan Jue through the Soul Caller gem.

Lan Jue smiled. "Nothing. Sleep. I'm not impatient." As he spoke, Lan Jue nonchalantly wandered to the bed and took a seat. It was already dark out.

"Hey," Qianlin protested. "If you're on the bed, where am I sleeping?"

Lan Jue laid back with a grunt, and patted the mattress beside him. "Right here. It isn't any closer than when we were traveling on the airship. Plus, I'm about the safest man for you to have in this situation. If anything should start to happen, you'll just melt right in to me. And then –"

Woosh! Lan Jue didn't see the whirling sofa cushion until it smacked him. In the end, Lan Jue found himself sleeping on the sofa. They were only separated by a thin wall between the bedroom and the sitting room, but it felt like different worlds.

Lying in bed, Zhou Qianlin could feel her heart beating. A confused flurry of emotion filled her eyes as they stared at the ceiling. Still, she felt… secure. She knew it was because he was right outside.

Lying on the sofa, Lan Jue could hear Qianlin's gradually easing breath from the other side of the thin wall. He had sunken in to a quietude himself. In his pondering, though, he couldn't help but recognize that things were changing. The more time he spent with Zhou Qianlin, the more he mistook her for Hera. Whenever that happened his defenses dropped.

Wait, he thought. Sleep? We should be training!

Lan Jue's mouth curled in to a frown. What was he thinking? Clearly his emotions were clouding his judging. So be it, sleep it was. They'll continue with cultivating tomorrow. With no recourse, Lan Jue closed his eyes. Soon he was asleep.

While Lan Jue and Qianlin slept easy in their hotel beds, things were very different in the Citadel. Martial law had been imposed, and the word had been spread that the hunt was on for blasphemers. It was a frightening prospect for many, and although the West maintained it's government here everyone knew the Pontiff's Citadel was the real power on Eurmania. However, while they enjoyed a powerful position in the West, things weren't decided by a single Adept organization. The Citadel's complete control only extended to the borders of Reims.

The Pontiff had yet to show himself. However, the Citadel had since lapsed in to a reverent stillness. One of the six great Archangels had been stolen away. Their beloved Angel of Healing, captured. It was a deep, burning disgrace for this holy order.

In truth, they didn't even know whether or not the attackers and Raphael were still in the Holy City. It had all happened so quickly, by the time the Citadel had caught wind the assailants must have had ample time to escape. The more time stretched on, the more difficult their search would become.

If they got out of the Pontiff's sphere of influence, things might get messy. Powerful adepts though they were, could they hope to contend with a government? With a galactic fleet? Of course not, so they would need to play by the rules.

They could also approach the government for help. Aside from the West's raw military power, they also stood to benefit from sweeping something as humiliating as this under the rug. Remember that half of this planet was lost to hell. The Dark Citadel was only too anxious to abuse any opportunity the Pontiff gave to degrade them.

One full day and night of searching had produced nothing. With satellites spells and manpower, not a trace was revealed. Although the satellites were precise, it was a long shot. In a crowded city like Reims, picking two suspects out from hundreds of thousands was almost impossible.

ζ

Within the Grand Cathedral of Reims.

Six men were situated around a large, circular table. Although they all looked different, each were garbed in opulent garb – and wore a dark scowl.

Metatron was seated farthest from the door, head of the table. To his left was the Angel of War, Michael 1. He looked mostly recovered from his conflict with Lan Jue all those months ago. However, of all those seated here, his expression held the deepest fury. He and Raphael were close friends.

The next two positions of import were occupied by Gabriel and Uriel.

Across from them sat Ramiel, the Angel of Visions 2 and Sariel the Archangel of the Moon 3.

Metatron and five Archangels. This was the highest court the Citadel possessed, with the exception of the Pontiff himself. Constantine had been appointed Inquisitor General and was hunting his prey.

"Not a trace." Metatron growled. "The attackers must certainly have prepared beforehand, and specifically to target us. Why, however, we don't yet know. If anyone has any thoughts, now is the time to share them."

Uriel spoke first. "The simplest answer is to wait for their next move. Like you said, we don't know their aim – but they have Raphael, and he plays a part in it. Otherwise, they'd have killed him already. We wait for our opportunity, then sweep in before they know we're close."

Ramiel, seated across from the Cherub, scowled at the table top. "So you suggest we tuck tail, lick our wounds and let them hit us again?"

Gabriel shot his fellow Archangel a glance. "Of course not. Uriel is advocating caution. We mustn't be rash."

Ramiel laughed dismissively. "Rash? Your clever little trap from before wasn't rash? Michael almost died because of it, and the news that our Angel of War was so severely beaten is still making the rounds in the bars. Now the enemy is at the gates – is this what you're 'advocating', Uriel?"

"Watch your tone, Ramiel," Uriel growled.

The Archangel of Visions laughed off his compatriot's threat. "Metatron asked us to share our thoughts. I'm simply expressing my opinion. If you disagree with it, then keep your mouth shut."

"What's the meaning of this," Gabriel interjected. His voice was thick with anger.

The Six Archangels were close, but stress had them on edge. The Pontiff's Citadel had always sought to return to he glory of the old days. Canonically, there should be seven Archangels, for example. The Moonfiend Empress was that seventh, the Morning Star. Now they were down two.

The Empress, before leaving, had held a close relationship to both Ramiel and Sariel. Michael, the strongest of them, paid no mind to these cliques and games. The others, however, did.

"That's enough, back to business," Metatron said, knocking his knuckles against the table. For emphasis, the power of his aura began to thicken in the air around them.

Gabriel looked back to the Lord of the Archangels. "I agree with Uriel. Right now, our best option is to see what comes next. We mustn't act blindly. That will only make things easier for our opponent. According to Raphael's tailor, they are strong. We also don't know if they have backup – it could be a whole coterie. Lord Metatron, did His Majesty have any instructions?"

"The Pontiff has commanded that we bring Raphael back as soon as possible, Metatron said. "His Majesty's cultivation process prevents him from acting directly. Michael, what are your thoughts on all this?"

Although Metatron was stronger than Michael, the Angel of War was first among his Archangels. He specialized in combat, and with his experience Metatron often relied on his suggestions.

After a moment, Michael deep, rumbling voice replied. "I also believe Uriel is correct. We stay the course. Constantine and the Inquisition are already scouring the city. Our actions must be measured, and careful. From now on no one goes out alone."

Metatron heaved a sigh, and a hard light flashed across his eyes. "This is an absolute embarrassment for our Citadel. Nothing short of a slap in the face. When I catch those vermin, I'll hear their confessions after they've been nailed to a cross."

Ramiel sat back in his chair, with a mocking expression pointed at the table. The only female among the Archangels – Sariel – remained expressionless like none of this mattered to her at all.

1. Here is an explanation of Chinese seating arrangements in terms of respect. In reality it isn't this strict, in most cases, but the left-hand side is the seat most coveted, equivalent to the 'right-hand man'

2. TJSS did his homework. Interestingly, Ramiel is also called the 'Thunder of God', and TJSS used the character for thunder – 雷 – to write his name (in pinyin it's Lei Mi Er, so if this is intentional it's a really clever little detail that fits perfectly with Chinese naming practices). Pretty cool.

3. Here.