Another Day

"Hmm, how exactly do I do that?" mutters Zauriel, his mind filled with thoughts. Morning struck with an idea, one that has not left his mind.

A coffee taps his hand as he looked up to Tsu, giving him a coffee and an unusual soft smile.

Zauriel tilts his head in confusion, his stomach dropping at her unusual behavior.

She notices this and rolls her eyes. "Just take it as an apology from us for yesterday's fiasco."

She looks behind him. He follows her eyes to see his three apologetic guildmates.

Zauriel chuckles from the gesture, "You guys owe me a favor for that."

"Zuzu!" Anne shouts as she once more grabs his neck, baring her fangs in a toothy smile as she rubbed her cheek with his.

Andu follows his sister, his eyes sheepish as he jumps to to the sit behind him drinking whatever juice Tsu decided to hand.

Charlie only sat beside him, caressing Hent~ai in his hand as he drank the coffee presented before him as they settle to a comfortable morning.

Unfortunately, it was not to last.

"Hahaha! It is truly joyous to see such camaraderie within our guild's glorious halls!" A shout erupts from the door, a man walks forth with a grin.

His build tall, his muscles lean, his eyes filled with gold as he stepped forth, bringing with him his domineering presence.

His armor was a mix of red and gold, each one filled with intricate designs of great magnificence.

"Haha! Tsu, where is your father? I have received information from the ministry, one I believe that he urgently needs to receive."

Tsu points up the second storey, "I don't think he left his office."

The man nods as the ground creaks from the weight of his armor, disappearing in a flash, leaving him simple clothing.

Zauriel only looks to him before turning his head back, "Who's he?"

"He's Ivan Maximus, an S rank paladin."

"Oh really? Why is he here then? Shouldn't he be at the temple of his people or something close to it?"

Anne who has decided to sit on his lap, replied, "Mmm, Iviv doesn have a temple. He's the first! He says that he's ."

Zauriel widens his eyes, "Doesnt that mean he plans on becoming a prophet?"

"HAHA! I am not daring enough to take such a title from the messenger of the truth. KARLUS MARXIMUS!"

Zauriel turns his head at the said man, now uncomfortably close.

"Uh, ok."

"Haha! Well, I am quite glad that another has taken an interest in the greatness of my cause!"

"Uh, what exactly is your cause?"

He then takes out a book, "I need not explain it, for my book contains all the teachings required for you to understand the greatness of my causes."

Anne tries to take it from his hand before Tsu grabs her from his lap.

Zauriel takes it from his hand, giving a reluctant nod as he looked at Anne who was suddenly held back by a giggling Tsu, the situation leaving him a bit confused.

Ivan then nods eagerly, "Now, that I have once more spread his word, I must proceed with the task given to me and ask all of you to join me."

Tsu lets go of the struggling Anne, "Well, Im joining but what exactly are we to join you on?"

"An extermination, one sanctioned by the ministry."

"Really?! We get to fight baddies!" Anne shouts with excitement, forgetting the book in Zauriel's hands. Forgetting the books, she relentlessly tried to take.

"Well, yes. Though, with your young age, I believe it would be best for you and your brother to sit this one out."

Anne shouts, "I'm eighteen!"

Tsu holds in her laughter, "Cmon now, little girl. You heard what Ivan said, someone your age shouldn't go outside so easily."

Zauriel only shakes his head as he held Anne away from tearing Tsu apart with her fangs.

Charlie, meanwhile, takes the poster from Hent~ai who nabbed it off his pocket, listening in on her words as he reads through the details held by his first quest.

"Hent~ai and I are unfit for this kind of work. So I believe I would pass"

"Haha! I knew a warlock like you would have no desire for such material wealth." He then takes something out of his pocket, "Though, I know that this would be enough to persuade you."

Charlie raises an eyebrow before looking up in shock, her red lips in awe, "Is this the actual Big Black rod of Corruption?"

"Why, yes, of course! The extermination would require us to come against it's current wielder. A man I'm sure you are capable of fighting."

Charlie salivates at the information. The Big Black rod of Corruption has been a staff of insurmountable power, one of tens of which capable of strengthening the bond a warlock has.

Zauriel moves away form the salivating form of Charlie, before looking at the man before him, Anne at his arms, "As much as I desire to go with you. I have to take quests to pay the bills."

"I see." Ivan tears up from his words and before Zauriel could even react, Ivan crushes them both with his hug,

"It really is a great travesty what this world forces us to do! Forcing us to choose between wealth and morals!"

"Yeah, yeah, so, as I was saying." Zauriel then wriggles out of his arm.

"This quest would pay a thousand gold, each." Charlie interrupts him, holding the poster to his face as he read the details held by the quest.

"Im in!" shouts Zauriel, his eyes excited, taking Anne from his seat like a lost puppy.

"Haha! A delight to have you!"

He then looks to the time, "Then with that, I would take my rest. I believe the five of us would be enough to take on the enemy. I hope to meet you four at the train station."

He left in a hurry, at a speed you wouldn't expect from a man of his build.

The next day came.

Anne, Tsu and Charlie stood, waiting for their companions' arrival.

Though as they do so Tsu realizes something, "Anne, did you take the book away from Zauriel?"

Anne stills at her words before horror dawned on her face, "NO!"

Charlie looks to them in confusion, "Why? What's wrong?"

And with those words, the station trembled.