Within the land of Skyworld; Kloud was leaving the knight's dormitory, adjusting his shirt collar. The parts of his arms that were usually exposed, now carried bandage wrappings. He was still fairly bruised up from his duel with Nye, but that didn't stop him from passing through the corridors of the knight halls. His hands were in his pockets and a glum expression on his face; as he trailed further on. There was a view from the balcony of the hall, that showed the landscape of the Rhyme kingdom. He glanced towards it, proceeding down a spiral staircase. The bustling people of the city were nearby, but Kloud kept a distance from the crowds, in an unsure manner. He made his way to a grassy field, just on the outskirts of the city. It was a lush hill, that had a wonderful view of the ocean on the surface below, with lovely cherry blossom trees nearby.

After a brief pause of viewing the scenery, Kloud glanced up. Standing before him at the ledge of the island, was Ayame. Her back was facing him, and her mount was perched not too far off from her, but Kloud's eyes were on the knight of the wind. Ayame's long hair was blowing majestically in the breeze, as she reached to a strand near her face. This made Kloud blush, his heart pounding.

"Ayame?..." Kloud timidly approached her.

She turned back to face him, in surprise. The nearby trees blowing the sakura blossoms down gently around them. Kloud drew closer to her, as her body faced his. They both stood now at arms reach, looking to the other.

"Ayame... I'm-I'm terribly sorry... I don't think I can handle the mission Aoba placed onto me...I just-" Kloud stammered, nervously.

Ayame grew annoyed in the face, about to backhand him. "You spineless-!" Before she could smack it his way, Kloud shakily took her hand; cupping it with both of his. This caused her to become confused, however she had no further dialog to spout.

"...Truth be told..." Kloud looked to her eyes nervously, his face becoming red. "I know I'm not the best at being a Templar, and I might loose my knighthood now for my mistakes. I'm perfectly aware of that, but honestly, I've known you since we were kids... When you joined the Templar, any communication became out of reach. I only joined the Templar, to get close to you, because I couldn't before."

Ayame was taken off guard, completely surprised by this.

"Ayame... The truth is... I'm in love with you." Kloud stated to her, seriously.

Ayame blushed, leaving room for Kloud to lessen the distance with her, as he drew nearer. Their mouths drew closer, as they were about to kiss.

"Kloud! Hey! What are you doing?" Called Flint's voice at a distance.

Kloud snapped out of it, his eyes shakily staring out to the ocean. Ayame wasn't there at all.

The large wolf man walked up behind the ginger haired boy. "What, are you day dreaming again?" Flint chuckled.

Kloud sighed, keeping his back to the wolf. "I was... Just thinking..."

Flint places a paw to his hip, looking to Kloud. "Well bud, there's no need to get stressed out any longer. I just spoke with Ayame, as promised." He smiled, winking with a thumbs-up gesture.

Kloud turned around, completely baffled. "Y-You did!? W-W-What did she say?"

The wolf gave him a smug grin. "I didn't get much space to explain too many details, but she asked me to lend a hand with this female Amygdala."

The expression on Kloud's face grew very happy, his eyes even tearing up with joy. "(She cares about me?)"

"Hey, don't start crying now, Stormy. We still have to handle this objective that Aoba asked you to do. Otherwise, you're through with being a Templar Knight." Flint stated, seriously.

Kloud snapped out of it, seeming concerned. "R-Right... We should make haste then. There's no telling where this woman went off to after our duel... "

"Attaboy. I'll meet you on the surface then, I need to catch one of the hot air balloons down." Flint began walking off from Kloud.

"Got it..." Kloud turned off to the cliff of the floating island. He sighed briefly, before descending downward, forming his angel wings.

Meanwhile, around the harbor based city of Feirela. The centaur knightress, and her rabbit leashed were making their rounds in the seaside city. They had proceeded near the docks of the pier, when Sally turned to Hige. Many people were bustling about,from fishmongers to other types of common folk. A few Templar seemed to be patrolling as well.

"I hath need to speak with our comrades in arms. Prey tell, doth thou perchance mind awaiting this steed? Thee Templar barracks arte nay place for a Leashed." Sally explained, as she looked to that leashed of hers, with doting eyes.

"Sure, 'spose I'll just kick back, and fish for a while. Not like I have a choice any who. I'm just a pet, remember?" Hige shrugged, holding back a sly smirk.

"Splendid. I shan't keepeth thou waiting for too long. Faire thee well." Sally smiled, heading into what seemed to be a nearby pub.

Hige peered over to the pier, where he noticed some crates stacked against a wall, where there was access to an alleyway. He grinned, with shadows casting eerily over his eyes. "ku-hoo... As expected." He muttered to himself, taking a seat on top of the crates. He quickly casted out his fishing rod's string, awaiting a bite.

Within the Barracks, Sally proceeded inside to spot hordes of Templar; all of which taking it easy by the bar. The room was filled to the brim with knights of the Rhyme's army. Sally stepped further in, stopping besides a female Templar mage, in blue attire, who was sitting in the center off the room; looking over a map with daggers placed in it. Many Templar were positioned around her, like they were Knights of the Realm.

"Well met, Skyletra Bleu. Thou hath summoned me? How may this knight be of service to thou, milady tactician?" Sally greeted.

The tactician peered up to the towering centaur. "Greeting Sally. You took your time getting here, if you don't mind me saying." She said, with a sharp tongue.

"Pardon mine timing, tis a long trek by foot, I'm afraid." Sally admitted.

"Tsk. Very well, then let us be on to business, shall we?" Skyletra shifted her posture, to adjust her bangs.

The other Templar's attention became more focused to the conversation between the two.

"As you are aware, we've been assigned to track down our escaped convict, the Angel of Death. The reason this title was placed upon the Amygdala, was due to fates that didn't bode so well; when combat against him took place. He slaughters mercilessly, and many people have fell to his blade already." Skyletra began explaining.

However, as they were in talks, there was a creak up stairs. In the shadows of the second floor, no one from below had even realized that someone was observing their conversation. Green eyes were peering from above, as shadows casted slightly over the Queen of Fiends. "..." Nye was watching with a focused gaze, a slightly ajar window not too far behind her. She must have entered through it, but kept as silent as possible.

"Grand Master Aoba has placed a high priority on this target. The Amygdala has been sentenced to the death penalty. This monster broke out of his confines, and has been on the run for several weeks now. People are at risk, while all this violence could have easily been avoided, if he was simply killed upon initial capture, all those years ago. Well, Astrid never did listen to me. Look where that got her." Skyletra leaned to the table, her fist under her chin.

"(Years ago?... Just how long did they have Jack imprisoned for?...)" Nye was continuing to eavesdrop from the shadows. "(This has me wondering...)" She furrowed her brows in concern, keeping her ears glued to the conversation.

The conversations of the knights continued, still under observation of the enemy Queen. However, the view shifted to the window, with a view of outside of the barracks. Hige was still perched on some crates, fishing from the pier.

Footsteps drew near, as a sketchy looking man appeared from the shady alleyways of the city. He had jet black hair, and clothes of what seemed to be the style of a smuggler. He leaned to a wall, keeping out of sight. His lazy eyes locked onto Hige, as a crooked grin appeared on his lips. "Oy Oy...Slacking off, on the job, eh?"

Hige's eyes were shadowed over, as he glanced back with a wide grin on his face. "She told me to wait for her. I figured, why not enjoy myself a little." He chuckled, eerily.

"So you decide to fish?" The smuggler slid his hand back, running his fingers through his black hair. "Oh what times we've fell upon." He jested.

"What, does my master not approve? I'm just playing the part, Sheesh." Hige kept his back to the smuggler, as he snickered softly. "I haven't forgotten the plan, so don't worry boss. She thinks I'm her leashed, and doesn't have the slightest notion that I'm not."

"Oh, not sure we can work with that, now can we?" The man leaned against the wall, crossing his arms, with a smirk. He was clearly teasing, in a joking manner.

"Guess you gotta punish me." Hige shrugged, jokingly.

The smuggler's smirk, became serious. "Jokes aside, Hige. I'll be close by if you need me. I'm not sure where he's hauled himself off too, but eventually we'll find him."

Hige leaned his head forward, as his eyes trailed back. The shadows casted over his face, "The Templar haven't had any luck either, Shane. Not sure where he's hiding, but he's gotta be alive. Last time you had a run in with the guy, he was alive. Doubt he'd die that easily."

"Just keep your ears peeled. If the Templar get wind of him, I want to be the first one who knows." The smuggler named Shane turned off from Hige.

"You got it, boss. We'll find the angel of death." Hige smirked.

"That's what I like to hear. Stay outta trouble now, hare." Shane began to creep back into the dark alleyway.

"You as well." Hige stated, his eyes peering to the lure of his rod, as a fish tugged down on the bait.

A view of the window was seen, where Nye was still overlooking the Templar below.

"We've been over this countless times, but he keeps eluding our forces... If only we had some idea where he's been hiding." Skyletra continued.

Nye then noticed a female elf who had been not too far off from the group, and proceeded over to the table, where Skyletra and Sally were in talks. She seemed to be one of Aoba's lovers, the one he referred to as Eclipse.

"Pardon my intrusion, but master Aoba wanted me to oversee the operations of our exploits. I should have spoken up sooner." Eclipse greeted.

"Of course you'd be here, Eclipse." Skyletra leaned to her palm, in irritation.

"Greetings, lady spymaster. Is thou well?" Sally smiled.

"I am at least in better spirits than some of our Templar knights." Eclipse remarked, giving Skyletra a look, as she said it.

"Say what you want. Assuming by the trouble the angel of death has lead us, is to why our master has sent out his spymaster. Do you, or the other assassins have any leads to him?" Skyletra shifted slightly.

"Indeed. Some of my men have told me of whispers, that the Amygdala is keeping close to Belmont city. I have many stationed there on the look out for him as we speak." Eclipse leaned to the table.

"Then we march for Belmont. Men, prepare to depart at once." Skyletra instructed.

Some of the Templar were already exiting the barrack's halls, following after Eclipse.

Nye took a step back. "(Oh, this can't be good. I need to find Jack, and warn him quickly.)" She thought, growing a bit uneasy.

"OY! WHO THE BLOODY HELL ARE YOU!?" yelled out a guard, that had noticed Nye.

"Shit." Nye swore, retreating for the window.

"INTRUDER! THERE'S AN INTRUDER!!" The guard shouted, alerting the other Templar.

Nye was barely climbing out the window, as several Templar guards flooded up the stairs.

"Don't let her escape! Spread out, and prepare to strike!" Nye heard Skyletra yell from behind her, as she dove off the ledge of the windowsill.

Her wings spread fast, as Nye soared away as quick as she could. However, some Templar reached the window, firing off arrows her way. One pierced Nye's wing, sending pain through her body. She winced, as more came flying. A second shot through her wing, forcing Nye to crash land onto the roof of another building, not too far off.

"It connected! HURRY BEFORE SHE ESCAPES! WE NEED TO FLANK HER!" Skyletra ordered, as her, and the Templar burst out the door of the barracks.

Hige looked startled, as a bite got away, seeing the knights making way for the building that Nye crashed on. He seemed uneasy, as his ears drooped back. "... Change of plans apparently..."

He noticed Sally come his way. "Hark now! We must make haste, my companion. An Amygdala overheard our plans. We must join the others!"

"R-Right... (Fighting... Great... I didn't sign up for this...)" Hige begrudgingly nodded, following after the centaur knightress.

Nye was holding herself up, from the roof, her wings still outstretched as they leaned to the surface of the building. There was a few arrows piercing her wing, keeping it stuck in place on the roof. It was also bleeding from the impact locations. "Urgh... Shit..." She winced, only one eye open, as her gaze caught incoming Templar on the pursuit; several with their wings carrying them her way. Skyletra was leading the pack, and for once Nye looked terrified.

Her eyes shook, as the sound around her began to grow null, a faint ringing in her ears. "Normally I could muster up enough courage, to keep my composure... but, the truth was... the Templar terrified me. I wasn't brave, or strong... I just feigned it... I had no right to be a leader... " Nye's voice narrated, as her mind was swept into her past.

A young Nye was seen walking alone, in one of the cities that happened to be near a harbor. She sighed to herself, as her eyes trailed solemnly along the cobblestone grounds. Her gaze had caught a sudden movement, spotting a little cat climbing along the roof top. It wasn't a leashed like the most pets she'd see, but something about it caught her attention, and it made her smile. "Hey, here kitty kitty." She called to it. The cat's ears went back, as it peered her way. Without warning the little feline scampered off, as the sound of a tin can crashed into a nearby fence.

"Nice fail Skye." A boy jeered at a brunette haired girl, who was an older age then Nye. She had to be a teenager at least, as were the others with her.

"You're supposed to hide when I kick the can, you dolts." She scoffed at him.

"Um, excuse me?" Nye looked to them, now holding the can. "Would it be okay, if I played too?"

"Hm?" Skye peered to her, as did the group of boys with her. "Sure, it's like capture the flag. Maybe you'll figure the rules out quicker than these stupid boys." She smirked.

The boys all groaned, but didn't retort to her statements. Nye only laughed in response, with a nod. Soon enough the group was playing kick the can. Nye was 'it', going around and locating each kid one at a time. Soon enough they all were gathered around a lamppost.

"Nice game, everyone finally figured it out." Skye seemed in approval.

"Yeah. Thanks for letting me play with you guys." Nye smiled, happily.

"Well, you fit in pretty well kid. You're a bit young, but I think we can officially include you as part of our secret society. Knights of the Ally." Skye stated boldly.

"That sounds like a lot of fun. Kinda like a family, I've never had one before. Friends either." Nye replied, bashfully.

The chuckling kids began to grow silent, making Nye look to them oddly. Skye seemed to have the most disapproving gaze. "Just hold on a moment... Don't tell me you're one of them? An Amygdala!?"

"Um... Well I..." Nye was unnerved.

"You ARE! You beasts have no right making friends, or having fun! You shouldn't even be allowed to live! The late grand master was too soft! He should of had your entire species face genocide!" Skye snapped, angrily.

"Yeah. You filthy things aren't even allowed to be around others. You're supposed to live a life of solitude, all alone to ROT like you deserve!" A boy snarled.

"It's your race's fault for the wars. The Templar should lock everyone of you up, and let you starve to death. REALLY make you suffer." Another boy leered.

"Why... Why does it matter what I am? Why can't we just... be friends? I never did anything wrong to you..." Nye was starting to tear up, as they cornered her.

One of the boys knocked Nye back to the ground, as Skye looked down to her with narrowed eyes. "Some day I'll be a Templar, and when that day comes, I'll be sure to erratic every last one of your kind." She glared to Nye, before glancing to one of the boys. "Make our fathers proud, take her pathetic life." She ordered.

Nye was trying to get to her feet, when one of the boys shoved her back to the ground, both hands clenching her throat, as he shoved her hard against the ground. Nye was struggling to breath, thrashing to get him off. The boy gritted his teeth, struggling to hold her down.

"Tighter! Break her neck!!" Skye shouted.

The boy's grip tightened, as Nye gagged. She kicked him, but another boy came up with a sword.

"Here, let me handle her." The boy said, taking the blade. He was about to stab her, when Nye kicked both boys, her body still in a thrashing state. This resulted in her left knee being sliced open, but she managed to knock back both of the aggressors. One was holding his hand, while the other had his hand to his nose. Nye scrambled back, wheezing for air.

From a nearby alleyway, a young Finch was overseeing the act of violence. He was cowering, shacking in panic. ".... W-What do I do?" He stammered, as a cloak brushed passed him. "Huh?..."

"For crying out loud! You dolts are useless! Let a woman handle this bitch!" Skye spat out, pushing them aside, to approach Nye.

Nye was shaking, as Skye came closer. Nye flinched, closing her eyes, as she shielded herself.

"Here I thought that kids could look passed things that made them different. Guess I was wrong." Spoke a mature female voice.

This caused Skye and her group to turn, and face this strange woman. She was tall, with green eyes and long silver hair. There was a massive sword on her back, over her dyed leather jacket and corset. She appeared to be a mercenary type, and didn't seem to be playing around.

"Seems the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree." The woman continued, her hand gently placed to the hilt of her sword.

"We don't want any trouble ma'am!" One of the boys shakily replied.

"Don't be a coward." Skye retorted to the boy.

"You really should follow your friend, girl. I think you brats should run along, before you force my hand." The woman suggested, seriously.

Nye could only watch, unsure how to feel about this. She was trembling.

"Let's find the guards! She's gotta be one of them too!" Skye panicked, as she and her posse of Rhyme fled off into the city.

Nye's heart was racing, her eyes shakily peering up to the approaching woman. She was having a hard time looking at her.

"Are you alright?" She asked, hovering over the young girl.

"..." Nye couldn't speak, her eyes simply trailed to the side, avoiding eye contact. She could only nod in response.

"Good." The woman replied, as she turned off in the direction that the Rhyme children fled in. "It's a hard world out there, you'll need to learn to be brave. Making yourself blend in will make it easier." The woman peered back to Nye. "Letting others in... It's the hardest struggle; you can't let yourself trust so easily, little one. None of our kind has a choice, it's all a matter of survival. Learn all you can, and take care of yourself." She went on, turning away from Nye, as she began to walk off.

"Wait, don't leave..." Nye stumbled forward, unable to stand.

"There is someone else who seeks an audience with you, child." The woman said, taking her leave.

This left Nye confused, but then her eyes caught Finch timidly approaching her. He knelt down, looking over her knee's wound. "You're hurt... here.. let me help..." He said, preparing to mend her wound.

The buzzing in her ears began to die down, as her vision returned. She came back to reality. Nye's gaze was focusing on the Templar before her, and Skyletra ahead of the ranks, landing before Nye. "I thought something about you was familiar. You should have died that night."

Skyletra casted out a elementally driven magic attack. It collided with the roof close to Nye, sending her rolling back from the eruption of the spell.

"First we'll deal with this eavesdropping pest, then we'll get back to the mission at hand." She instructed to her men.

"SER!" They acknowledged.

Many were preparing for a fight, but Skyletra was the one Nye was really worried about. Her wings slouched, hanging there as she tried to get to her feet. "..."