DATE NIGHT

Alko and Leah sat side by side on a bench at the crest of a hill, their faces turned towards the night sky ablaze with a colorful display of fireworks.

"This is so beautiful, Alko," Leah whispered, her voice filled with awe.

Alko nodded, a faint smile on his lips. "Such an underrated spot, right?"

"Right..." Leah replied softly, her gaze fixed on the exploding bursts of light above them. After a moment of quiet admiration, she turned to Alko with a teasing grin. "So tell me, how many girls have you brought up here?"

Alko chuckled. "Twelve."

Leah's annoyance was evident in her voice as she raised an eyebrow. "You're kidding, right?"

"I am," Alko admitted playfully, "just ten."

Leah chuckled, her mood lightening a bit. "You've turned into a womanizer, I see."

"Was trying to fill the void you left," Alko said casually, his tone masking deeper feelings.

Leah turned to him, her eyes slightly widened in surprise. "Oh... I-"

"Leah," Alko interrupted gently, searching her eyes, "do you hate me because I'm a Dove host?"

Leah sighed, her expression turning thoughtful as she looked away into the distance. "I don't hate you, Alko. Quite the opposite, in fact. I just felt betrayed. The Dove system is the reason we got separated in the first place. Don't you remember?"

"I do," Alko admitted quietly. "I just feel like we turned to the wrong individuals for help. Not all Dove hosts are bad."

"Exceptions don't make the rule," Leah countered firmly.

"I know," Alko sighed, "but we met the exceptions, Leah."

"No, Alko," Leah insisted, her voice tinged with bitterness. "We met the norm. This is who they are. Pretentious, judgmental, unforgiving. There's a reason we haven't been able to defeat the Beasts of Nether for decades."

Alko's shoulders sagged with resignation. "I guess that's why you turned to the alternative then."

Leah paused, considering his words, then looked directly at him, searching his eyes. "What do you mean?"

Alko got up suddenly, pacing through the grassy hilltop, the distant explosions of fireworks casting fleeting shadows across his face. He turned to face Leah, a solemn expression replacing his usual calm demeanor.

"I know what you are, Leah," Alko said softly but with conviction.

Leah's brow furrowed in perplexity. "You do?"

"I don't know what they did or said to convince you," Alko continued earnestly, "but this isn't who you are."

He stretched out his hand towards her, a plea in his eyes. "Please, Leah. Join me."

Leah stared at his outstretched hand, her heart conflicted, uncertain of her path.

"Alko... I... I have a request too," Leah finally spoke, her voice hesitant.

Alko's eyes widened in anticipation. "What is it?"

Leah took a deep breath, her resolve firming. "I think you should join me instead."

Alko froze, his mind racing with the weight of her words, uncertain of the consequences but knowing that this moment would define their future.

"Alko, we had the same dream when we were kids," Leah began softly. "Freedom. Has that changed for you?"

Alko hesitated, then replied, "Leah..."

"I want an honest answer, Alko," Leah pressed on. "Do you feel... free?"

Alko's silence spoke volumes, his stunned expression revealing the turmoil within.

"Does being a Dove host let you be free?" Leah continued, her voice tinged with both curiosity and accusation. "Do you feel fulfilled? I know you don't. You've always been a rule-breaker, Alko. Has that changed?"

Still silent, Alko struggled to find words.

"I know how alike we are," Leah persisted. "It must've been so uncomfortable to constantly hold yourself back to keep this saintly facade up, hasn't it? As for me, I haven't needed to change anything. Alko, I feel more free now than I ever did. And it's all thanks to... the Fiend. It allows me to lie, cheat, even steal if I need to. There are no limits, no judgments. Sin doesn't weaken my power. I can live how I want, do what I want, all without the suffocating rules of Dovanity."

Alko shook his head slowly, his expression troubled. "Leah, you're talking about breaking laws, hurting people..."

"No," Leah interrupted firmly, "I'm talking about living without fear. Without being bound by someone else's idea of right and wrong."

"But that's not freedom, Leah," Alko insisted, his voice pleading. "It's chaos. Dovanity stands for purity, for justice."

Leah scoffed bitterly. "Justice? Tell that to the families whose lives were destroyed by beasts while Dovanity watched from their high towers."

"Leah," Alko implored, "you can't just give up on everything we believed in. We fought for a better world together."

Sadness flickered in Leah's eyes as she sighed. "No, Alko. I fought for all beasts to be eradicated, not for the world."

Leah extended her hand once more, a silent invitation hanging between them.

"I'm giving you one last chance, Alko," Leah said softly, her voice tinged with desperation. "Join me, join us."

Alko looked at her outstretched hand, conflicted emotions warring within him. Finally, he clenched his fist, determination gleaming in his eyes.

"No, Leah," he declared firmly. "I can't. And I won't let them take you either."

With resolve, Alko clasped his hands together, whispering under his breath.

"Kalo: Surreal Booze."

Two glass bottles of beer materialized in his hands.

Leah observed Alko with a mixture of curiosity and resignation, her voice tinged with a hint of sarcasm. "Interesting, your passion's still alcohol?"

Alko's expression remained solemn as he replied, "I'm sorry, Leah."

Leah sighed deeply, a weight of regret evident in her features. She reached into her pocket, pulled out her phone, and swiftly typed a message into a chat app. The screen displayed the word "Nu..."

Suddenly, a massive figure descended upon Alko violently.

Reacting swiftly, Alko leapt aside just in time to evade the colossal impact as the figure smashed into the ground with a deafening crash.

As the dust settled, Alko's eyes widened in shock as he recognized the imposing silhouette before him.

"Is that..." Alko began, his voice trailing off as he struggled to comprehend the scene unfolding before him.

"He's grown, hasn't he?" Leah remarked coolly, her gaze fixed on the figure now standing upright amidst the debris.

Volker, towering over them with an air of ominous presence, fixed his cold gaze on Alko. His MMA gloves gleamed in the faint light, the gloves mouth's sharp teeth were bared in a menacing smile.

"Long time no see, Alko..." Volker's voice rumbled, devoid of any warmth or familiarity.

------------------------------------------------------------

Prisoners sat opposite their loved ones, communicating through a plexiglass window and pay phones. The room buzzed with murmured conversations and the occasional clink of metal. Lukas Kroll strolled into the room, his expression unreadable, and took a seat opposite a certain gentleman.

Lukas eyed the man before him. "So. Who are you?"

Opposite him sat Carrington, his demeanor calm and composed. "German or English."

Lukas raised a brow. "German."

Carrington continued in fluent German. "I'm your way out."

Lukas chuckled, a bitter edge to his laughter. "I've been charged with six murders. There's no way out for me."

"That's not for them to decide," Carrington replied, his tone unwavering.

Lukas paused, suspicion etched on his face. "Who are you?"

"Like I said, I'm your way out."

Lukas leaned forward, skepticism evident. "How the hell are you going to get me out, old man? I've been sentenced to life, and besides, there's nothing out there for me. I'd rather live in a cell than under the pretentious tyranny of the Dove system."

Carrington smiled. "Glad you mentioned that."

"Huh? Mentioned what?"

"Your hatred towards the Dove system is justified. Believe it or not, there is a quiet revolution that has been taking place since the sealing of the Iche Clan."

Lukas's eyes narrowed. "You serious?"

"Very much so, Lukas Kroll. Just like you, there are a number of victims of the system who want to see change. A group of people that share a similar goal," Carrington's eyes turned cold, "replacing the Dove with the Fiend."

Lukas's eyes widened. "Are you sure you're safe saying this here? Aren't they listening to our conversations?"

Carrington's calm demeanor remained. "No worries. We made sure to take precautions."

Control Room

The room was filled with a sea of dead bodies, their limbs and organs torn to shreds. Two figures remained standing, dwarves in medieval outfits, surveying the carnage with detached interest.

Back to the Visit Room

"The system is failing many of us, Lukas. And if anyone would know that, it would be you. I mean, we would not be here right now if that Dr. Claasen did his job when you asked for help, right?"

Lukas's eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets. "H-how do you know about that?"

"We know a lot about you, Lukas."

Lukas's voice was barely a whisper. "What do you want from me?"

"I just have one simple question for you. Will you join us?"

"Join…you? But-how are you going to get me out of here? It's fully secured."

Carrington's smile was almost reassuring. "Leave that to me."

Carrington clasped his hands. "Kalo: Rook."

Suddenly, a towering figure in heavy, castle-like armor appeared. His war hammer, etched with ancient runes, glowed with power. The ground trembled slightly with his every move, as police officers, inmates, and visitors stared in complete shock.

A few minutes of destruction later, Carrington and an awestruck Lukas strolled through the exit. Lukas paused as Carrington continued to walk.

"H-hey!" Lukas called out.

Carrington stopped, eyes kept ahead.

"Who are you?" Lukas demanded.

Carrington turned to him, his expression resolute. "We are the Herd."

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Leah stood at the edge of the hill, gazing at the stars that twinkled above. The serenity of the night contrasted sharply with the tension brewing in her mind. She turned as she heard approaching footsteps, her expression hardening.

Trudging up the hill was Volker, his powerful frame silhouetted against the moonlight. Blood trickled down his forehead, and he carried Alko's motionless body on his right shoulder, his steps heavy and deliberate.

"Took a while," Leah remarked, her tone devoid of surprise.

Volker nodded, his breath steady despite the exertion. "He put up a good fight."

"Yeah, I can tell," Leah said, glancing at the blood smeared on Volker's face.

Volker dabbed his thumb on his lip, feeling the sticky warmth of his own blood. "It's not just on your lip, you know?"

Ignoring the comment, Volker asked, "What are you gonna do with him?"

With a grunt, Volker dropped Alko's body unceremoniously onto the ground. Alko lay there, unconscious, his face a picture of battered defiance.

"I hope you didn't kill him. I need him alive for it," Leah responded, her eyes fixed on Alko's limp form.

"For what?" Volker's curiosity was piqued, though his voice remained detached.

"The sacrifice," Leah replied, her gaze shifting from Alko to the distant horizon, where the stars seemed to wink in ominous agreement.