The night sky was seen through one of the stained glass window's of the chapel within Skyworld's kingdom. Once again the Templar order seemed to be in discussion, however fewer of their agents appeared to be present at this time. Ayame was standing before some of her fellow templar, which included Sally, Skyletra, Eclipse, two Terra; one of each gender, as well as a male centaur, and a feline Lupis. Hige was left to wait outside with Elliot, but the Shin Leashed was curious on the events about to occur in the chamber. He was leaning against one of the stone walls outside in the halls, with his ears listening closely. Being a hare, it made it easy for him to be an expert at eavesdropping.

"Many of our forces have already been deployed to their stations. With the events of late, we need to strategize further on where to go from this point onward. Eclipse, am I safe to assume the rest of your assassins, as well as Gaigas, have already arrived to their destinations?" Ayame turned to the elven spymaster.

"That is correct, I am also prepared to send Talis and Manik out as well, if need be." Eclipse motioned to the dragon people standing beside her. The teal haired female, Talis, was far more petite, with a long tail and small wings; while the green haired male, Manik, seemed far more land sturdy, wearing a cloth over his mouth.

"As I said before, it would have been wiser to send the female in the first place. The grand master should have asked for my counsel on the matter. I am the master tactician, it's my job to strategize." Skyletra scoffed.

The Lupis lazily tilted her head, with a faint, "Nya?"

"Doth thou speak ill of mi'lord?" Sally glanced over, seeming displeased.

"Would thou wish me to speak low of thee instead? Hmph, in all honestly, a dolt of a horse who fled from a witch, has no right in our presence. Tis only a fact." Skyletra sneered, through cold eyes.

"...." Sally's ears hung back, with a furrowed brow as she gazed off nervously.

"Crikey. You're as mean as cat's piss, ain't ya?" The male centaur retorted, which caught the female centaur by surprise.

Skyletra peered over, with a leer. She walked over to him, in an intimidating manner. "Listen closely, chevalier. Do you truely see yourself to be any ounce of a threat to me?" She asked, in agitation, as she shoved her index finger into his chest. "The fact that I do not even know your name only proves my point, you simpleton."

"You think you're some tall poppy, just cause you're the tactician, don't ya? Sorry mate, but you're here with the rest of us blokes and sheilas. We're all fossicking for the same bludgers, so get over yourself." The male centaur remarked, in a cool manner.

"Sir Maxwhyld does make a fair point, Skye." Eclipse teased.

"I do have to concur with Lady spy master." Talis smiled.

"Like a reptile to side with the one who controls them." Skyletra growled.

"..." Manik leered over, silently.

"Next she's going to make some remark about Lupis..." The feline muttered, with lazy eyes.

"Oh, how could I forget our laziest crusader. Phish. You should just abandon your role, and go cough up a hair ball. You're a complete waste of space, to say the least." Skyletra retorted.

"Bite me." Phish yawned, as her tail swished.

"Skyletra, that is enough." Ayame put her foot down.

The tensions were beginning to rise with the templar present, but before an uprise could occur, the chamber's doors bursted open. The scene has panned over, showing the boots of a man approaching the circle of knights.

"Oh, just what will I do with this mess?" Spoke a whimsical voice. The entire courtroom went silent as the man continued further in. "Not only are there two Amygdala, and a witch making such a ruckus out there; but even my own army is fighting amongst themselves? Tsk tsk." He said, revealing it was Aoba speaking. "I do not enjoy evenings filled with hostile distractions, so bare that in mind." His gaze turned to the tactician, before he approached the large window in the back. He placed his hands behind his back, peering out. "You see, all this rising conflict will only fester worse wounds if they are not resolved. It's been brought to my attention that the leak has yet to surface as well." Aoba turned, looking to his followers. "So many concerns, and eventually the people will catch on. It could lead to riots or a revolt; and we can't have that, now can we? Oh no, I think not. My hands are here to uphold the beauty and sovereignty over Desdemuna, and it's people. Mark me, I will see these dastardly fellows hanged, drawn, and quartered if I have to. Order must be restored, before more of our people fall to the hands of these, criminals." Aoba began stepping down the steps, keeping a smile, even with the events of prior.

At this very moment, outside in the halls. Elliot was the only Leashed present now. Hige had left his perch, and wandered further into the castle's corridors. The hare had made his way into Aoba's study. It was like a rustic library, with two floors connected by a wooden ladder that could be moved along the bookcases. On the bottom level, there seemed to be a section behind a glass chamber that overlooked the kingdom. Inside the chamber, it seemed to be a green house, with all sorts of exotic plants within it. On the other end was a large desk, that was covered with many pieces or parchment, as well as information slips, and rare artifacts scattered about.

Hige shifted some cobwebs out of his way, entering the room as he began sifting through all the papers on the lower floor. "(With Aoba distracted in court, this should give me plenty of time to weasel my way around.) I just need to find the right documents in this mess..." He grumbled.

Standing in the entryway behind him, was Dimitri, who had his arms crossed with a displeased gaze. "Just what are you doing?" He asked.

Hige grew startled, turning around fast, and bumping backwards into the table. "U-Uh. (Oh shit... I thought he was with the other templar!)" He thought, sweating profusely as he gulped.

Dimitri drew closer, pulling to his tome, and flipping open a page. His free hand rose, seeming mystified with magic. "Answer me, Leashed. I am not afraid to invoke harm onto you, if you do not speak when spoken to. What are you doing, snooping around the Grand master's study?"

"I-I wasn't doing anything." Hige panted, anxiously.

"I can't say that I believe you." Dimitri scoffed.

A dark shadow casted over Hige's eyes, in an eerie manner as Dimitri was drawing close. Without warning he rushed the Rhyme with a knife in hand, at great speed. Dimitri swiftly casted a spell, blasting a shining light right at Hige, sending the hare crashing into the stone wall. Some blood was dripping from the hare's head, as he weakly glanced up to the nearing Rhyme.

"I have not a shred of doubt, that you're the mole we're after. You can't shroud yourself further, Leashed. You and all those you're connected to will suffer the consequences of your actions." Dimitri stated to the fearful rabbit, in a cold manner.

The scene panned back to Knothole sanctum. Shane was sitting at the bar, amongst other fiends and Amygdala patrons of the safe house. Runfaust was running the tavern section as per usual. His adopted daughter Molliana was sweeping the floors not too far off from the two of them.

"That friend of yours, should tread carefully in the company of our Queen." Runfaust stated.

"Why's that?" Shane chuckled.

"Don't play dumb, everyone knows how violent that Dream Weaver can get. If something happens to her on his account, he won't be the only one with a death wish. A human like you shouldn't even have business here, but since you're an ally of our kind, we allow it. However, if the company you keep betrays that trust, then you're partly to blame, and will in for a world of trouble. Understand? " Runfaust went on, as he used his hand-like tail to pour more liquor for the outlaw.

"Jackyn's not gonna hurt the broad, relaaaax. You don't know my bud like I do. Sure, he can get moody, but if he wanted her dead, she wouldn't be alive right now. Heh, You got nothing to be concerned about. Trust me." Shane drank the liquor, laughing a bit.

"For your sake, I hope you're right. On other matters, has your intel acquired any new information on the templar that we should be concerned about?" Runfaust inquired.

"Hige's snooping around as usual, I'll be meeting up with him in Oakwood soon though. Don't worry, Faust, that hare of mine always gets what you ask of me. Don't I always pull through for you, when you need something smuggled?" Shane swirled his glass a bit.

"That you do. You're a good man, Shane, just like the man who took you in from the Pits as an apprentice. As long as we keep this partnership flowing, everything will work out for both you, and everyone I care for here." Runfaust nodded.

"With all of us working to the same goal, and having the Queen by our side, it's only a matter of time before we break the cage the templar have placed on people like all of us. No matter what, I want to see those angel's fall, just like you do." Shane got to his feet, leaning a bit on the bar table. "Now that Jackyn's free, and working with us, we're just that much closer to cremating those bastards. Anyways though, I should go check on that hare, and see what he's found this time." Shane went to shake hands with the towering fiend.

"Good to hear. Keep me posted on what you've learned." Runfaust agreed, as they broke the handshake.

"Will do, Runfaust. See ya around." Shane grinned, before heading out of Knothole.

Shane had taken the forest route, heading through by foot. The sun had already vanished over the horizon, as night had broke. The smuggler reached the end of the woods, finding his way in a clearing, where a small town could be seen not too far in the distance. He progressed in the direction of it, but as he crossed the grassy terrain, he accidentally stepped onto a mound of dirt. His leg sunk in, causing him to lose his footing.

Shane seemed a bit taken by surprise, but managed to pull his leg out from the hole, and get back to his feet. He dusted off his trousers, glancing to the opening.

"That was a close call. Man, I thought Venember nests were only up around Flamsmarth." He muttered, uneasily.

However, he grew more unnerved. Within the darkness of the hole, glowing eyes fixated on him. Shane slowly slid back on of his boots, trying to carefully retreat. Without any given warning sound, flames shot from the hole, knocking Shane back to rear, as he barely dodged the singeing embers. The cinders of fire were settling, as a massive red fire snake with horns emerged from the den in the ground.

"Just my luck..." Shane scrambled back to his feet.

He withdrew a chain weapon from his utility pack; that held a claw on one end, and a spike ball on the other. Holding the chain she spun it around like a like a vertical lasso. He flailed the claw end it at the snake fiend, slicing three gashes into it's belly. The Venember let out an angry screech, as it charged Shane's direction.

"OOooh SHIT!" Shane gasped, scrambling backwards, as the fire breathing snake rushed his way.

The flames upon it's back were blazing wildly, as Shane's back collided with a rock. He grew fearful as the giant snake leapt into the air, it's venomous fangs coming right for Shane's face. With luck, the smuggler managed to catch the mouth of the viper, without colliding with the fangs. Some of the venom oozed from it's teeth, dripping onto the rock beside Shane's head. Immediately the acid began to melt that part of the rock.

Shane was sweating uneasily, trying to hold back the ferocious reptile. "Get off!" He grunted, slamming the heel of his boot into the previous infliction on it's belly.

The impact broke the remaining skin, splashing out green blood onto Shane, as it cried out in agonizing pain. The Venember flailed back, breaking Shane's grip on his jaw, leaving room for him to go for a second swing, of his chain-claw. As the weapon connected, the viper's internal organs were torn from it's abdomen, with them as well as slimey ooze splashing out onto Shane; who had a look of horror on his face as the body of the beast crashed on top of him.

A few moments passed, before Shane shoved the corpse off of his body. He shifted awkwardly, trying to wipe the snot like substance from his face. It clung to his fingers, stretching as he pulled his palm from his cheek. He had a very uncomfortable gaze of disgust on his face.

"Gross.... I don't get paid enough for this crap...." He groaned, as he got to his feet.

Shane abandons the monster's corpse, proceeding to the city of Oakwood. Upon entering the city's wall, he immediately noticed the many templar on duty around the twilight streets. The sun was barely coming out, but the gloomy weather made it appear darker than usual. Shane took out a matchbox, and lights a cigarette, before progressing onto the cobblestone streets.

He puffs out some smoke, as he continues through without conflict of the templar. He manages to reach the center of the plaza, beside a water fountain where there seemed to be fewer templar about. Gazing up he peered to the strange shape of the top of it. It seemed to be a faceless monster, with a humanoid form.

"(I'll never understand the followers of the Maker... What's this deity supposed to be anyway? Some hybrid of all the races or something?)... Eh whatever." Shane shook his head uneasily, before glancing around. "Hmm... Hige's later than usual. I wonder if those templar got him working his tail off again." He shrugged, dropping the cigarette butt to the ground, and rubbing it out with his boot. "Guess he's not coming..." He muttered, before turning off the direction he came from.

As Shane took a step, with his back to the fountain, someone halted on the other end. "...Boss." He spoke.

The smuggler's eyes turned, as he peered back to see the blue haired hare on the other side of the fountain. He seemed in terrible shape, with a black eye, and other noticeable bruises. He was holding his arm, as the two of them stood looking to the other, with the water fountain to their side now.

"Oy, Hige?! What the heck happened!?" Shane gawked, in obvious concern.

Shane had taken a step closer, staring at the rabbit. Hige narrowed his eyes weakly, as he looked off. "I messed up... The templar caught me in their leader's documents." Hige timidly glanced over, behind his bloodied lip. "They tortured me Shane... I-I don't know what to do... I had to warn you, cause they know now... They got me to talk... Shit... I really screwed this one up..." He held his head with both of his hands in fear.

Shane drew closer, his hand reaching to pat the hare. "Dammit... I'm just glad you're safe now. This area's infested with those knights though... Did they follow you?" Shane was looking around anxiously. "We should abandon this mission, and get out of dodge before they find us here.. Come on." He urged the rabbit, taking a few steps away.

Without warning, Shane was suddenly lassoed around his ankles, and tripped face first into the stone ground. He gritted his teeth, fumbling to glance back. There Hige stood there with a shadow covering his face, and a deranged grin. In his hands was his fishing rod, the fine string of it leading to the Smuggler's feet.

"Ku-hoo..." Hige was snickering devilishly.

"Hige! What the hell are you doing!?" Shane exclaimed.

"What's wrong Shane? Hee hee, don't like being outfoxed by a hare? They gave me an offer I couldn't refuse. Consider our partnership, at an end. I'm a free bunny now. It's only a matter of time before the templar show up, 'boss'." Hige spoke softly, in a creepy manner.

"You two timing hare, You set me up! Dammit Hige! whatever happened to our comradery!? Don't do this, can't you see that they're lying to you!" Shane grunted, trying to get lose.

Hige could only smile, as Templar began to flood around them from the various alleyways. Shane was sweating, and anxiously cut the wire of the rod, before bolting for it with the Templar in hot pursuit.

"You'll never escape Shane! The templar know everything I know! Hee Hee Hee!!!" Hige laughed wildly with a deranged grin; watching his former master fleeing through the city streets.

As Shane ran, from the horde of templar, Lyra emerged. She smirked at him, causing Shane to halt, glancing back nervously to the incoming troops.

"No where to run, and no where to hide." Lyra chuckled. "We can't have someone stealing from my precious Aoba. You will pay for your crimes, just like the others involved have." She kept that confident smirk on her face, with her cold gaze.

"You and your army are nothing but pathetic scum, witch!" Shane gritted his teeth, as he swung his chain claw at her.

Lyra merely held up her hand, crystallizing the weapon into ice. It instantly shattered before Shane's panicked eyes. "You were saying, human?" Lyra licked her lips, in an intimidating manner. "Thou best surrender, before this situation can get ugly."

"Fat chance." Shane took a step back.

"Resuming this game of cat and mouse? You'll never leave this city alive." She smirked.

"Watch me." Shane scoffed, rushing ahead, and using parkour to evade the Templar's pursuit.

"I love when they run. Hahah." Lyra chuckled, deviously.

The point of view shifted, following Shane, as he made a mad dash through the city, stumbling to avoid conflict from his pursuers. He was anxiously glancing back as he ran, when a massive reptilian tail swung, and bashed right into his face. Shane was immediately sent flying into a horse drawn carriage, which startled the restless stallion. His back had broken the wooden wheel, and the friction caused him to cough up some blood from the impact.

The dust was clearing, as the smuggler weakly squinted open his eyes to the nearing figure. Before him, was a very tall dragon man with black wings. His green horns seemed almost bull like, from Shane's point of view. This hulking savage like man seemed infuriated, literal smoke was trailing from the corners of his mouth, as a faint green flame shined through his pearly white fangs.

"I'LL TEAR OUT YOUR PUNY LITTLE SPINE IF YOU TRY TO RUN AGAIN!!" The Terra roared, with his booming vocals.

Shane tried to get to his feet, however a surge of pain shot through his entire body, emanating from his leg. Wincing, he peered down to see there was wooden spike through his right thigh. The blood was streaming from the infliction, pouring into the misty cobblestone streets. The Terra was coming his way at that very moment as well, but he couldn't move his leg.

Shane felt something wrap around both his ankles, and hoist him into the air. He hung upside down, blurry vision of the male dragon leering at him.

"Grrrrr..." The dragon flared his fangs as he snarled, bringing Shane's face right up close to his. Shane was sweating anxiously, as he quickly pulled to a hidden knife in his boot; proceeding to strike at his attacker. "RAAAAAAAAAW!!" roared the wounded beast. Shane had managed to get his blade stuck hard in the dragon's collarbone; however the tail whirled him hard across the street.

"....U-Ugh...." Shane grunted, laying on his back, his side was now in excruciating pain. There was blood rushing to the surface of his skin, right above his lower ribs. Something must have been broken from that last impact. He struggled to open his squinting eyes, as some blood was tearing out the corners of them.

The aggressor seemed twice as angry at this point, charging at Shane. The dragon spat out flames at the wounded man, however it was countered by a blast of chilling ice magic. This neutralized both attacks at once. The templar Calvary was quickly arriving the facility, with Lyra at the front.

"Gaigas, stand down." Lyra intruded, coldly. Her frosty eyes trailed over to Shane. "It's my turn to play with the human before he dies." She said, her eyes looking back to the dragon.

"Hmph! Do as you like, just make it hurt..." Gaigas scoffed, shoving passed some of the medics that attempted to retrieve the knife from his chest. Some actually fell back to the ground, he was so strong.

Lyra's attention turned to Shane, in amusement. "You can either surrender or die. Whats that? YOU want ME to choose!? Hehehe! You should have obeyed me when you had the chance, human. Now... Heh... You're just another toy for me to pick apart." She chuckled, menacingly, as she took his chin in her palm.

As Shane blinked, in fear, the scene transitioned; panning out to show a crowd of onlookers, with knights, and other templar in the surrounding area. It was in one of the nearby districts of Oakwood city, where a the wooden platform for the gallows was in the center of the surrounding buildings and people. Three nooses hung above closed trap doors on the platform. The sun was out, and Shane was struggling to stand, with his feet positioned right on top of the middle one, with the noose firmly around his neck. His arms had been bound behind his back, making it impossible to escape.

Lyra grinned, pulling his head back, by gripping the top of his hair. "Look now human. Does thou see those innocent faces? DO YOU!?" She shook him, making the man flinch briefly.

She grabbed his face, forcing his head to remain in place, and eyes open to the crowd of scared old folks, woman and children. The men seemed more livid then them however. Shane could see Hige amongst the templar, but the rabbit refused to look at him. Shane was trembling. "(Is this the end...?)" He thought, fearing this might be where he draws his final breaths.

"Due of thou's actions. your spies, the lives of these people, and hundreds of others were placed at risk. It has been confirmed that you have been harboring the whereabouts of the 'Angel of Death', Aiding the Amygdala and the fiends. Your spy was also stealing from Grand master Aoba; while you and your associates were plotting a rebellion, and even commandeering several of our templar officers for your own gains. As a former pit fighter, thou shouldn't even have been allowed to leave the arena... Because of you, we had to revoke the knighthood of a templar Chevalier, and place her in prison. We also lost the lives of Ser Astrid, and countless others due to your alliance with the man who has the Spider tattoo." Lyra listed off his accusations, facing the audience of the poor folk, and the templar officers. "What say you, people of Desdemuna? Does this man deserve to die for his actions of treason?"

The crowd of civilians seemed to be rallying in response. "Kill him!" "He's responsible for the death of Mr. Zetto!" "Make him suffer! The bastard deserves it!" "Long live the templar!"

"Under jurisdiction of the Grand master, and the Maker; as well as the free people of Desdemuna, I, Viceroy Lyra Daigneau, sentence you to death. Does thou have anything to say in defense of these claims, or will thou remain silent, and die like the traitor you are?"

Elsewhere, Nye and Jack were traveling through the underground tunnels, in direction of Wynorex. The fiends around the passageways seemed far more hostile in temperament than before, making it difficult for them to travel ahead.

"Something's not right." Nye mentioned, still holding the unconscious Nikolai in her arms, but she seemed a bit more on edge due to the wild fiends around them.

The glimpse of a close up set of eerie lips came into view. "Eheheheh.... It's time..." Snickered the silhouette of the oculus fiend, watching from afar.

One of them lunged in their path, forcing Jack's hand to strike. He quickly tore out it's chest cavity with a few slashes of his daggers. However, It was only enraging the fiends further.

"Just keep moving." Jack stated, coldly as they attempted to get passed the savage monsters swarming in.

Nye was still not in full health from her last encounter, and holding Nikolai made it near impossible to fight back. Little did she know, while the fiends were clustering in, Jack had caught a scent in the air. This made him turn towards a different passage then they were traveling.

"(That scent.) Dammit..." He softly spat out.

"Jack?" Nye seemed unsure.

"Just get back to Wynorex!" He insisted, rushing off through the swarms, taking out several of the hostile fiends as he rushed through.

More were coming after Nye, as she watched him vanish into the darkness. Nikolai was starting to come to, tiredly gazing upon to Nye. "Mistress?..." He asked her, weakly.

"..." Nye gritted her teeth, turning off to rush to Wynorex. She barely avoided the attacks of the oncoming beasts in the process. "(Just what are you up to Jack?)" She thought, seeming conflicted.

Meanwhile, the view of the gallows resumed. Shane gulped, feeling the rope snug against his neck, which already made it difficult to breath. The hooded executioner, who stood beside him, pulled the lever. The floorboard below his feet was released, sending the entirety of his weight dropping through the opening. His suspended legs flailed around, as he tried and tried to get loose as he continued to fall. The rope stopped his body suddenly, from reaching the ground below, immediately snapping his neck. His body hung there, motionless, as the rope gently swayed from the instant motion.

Amidst the crowd of people, Jack had slipped in, witnessing the entire end of Shane's life. His eyes were completely shocked from this moment, yet his blood was boiling, the rage flowing through his veins. He found it difficult to refrain from tearing up from the sight of it all. His best friend murdered right in front of him, by the people who hunted him. He was clenching his fist, trying to remain calm, for there was nothing he could do with how crowded the surrounding area was.

"Such a quick death. I wanted to see him struggle more. What a shame." Lyra mischievously pouted.

Jack could tell the people were starting to disperse, but he wouldn't have any clear path to Lyra. "(... There's just too many witnesses. FUCK!... Dammit Shane...Those fucking templar...)" He was struggling to keep calm.

However a shrouded figure passed by him, stopping as she faced the opposite way. Her massive witch hat concealed the majority of her face, her eyes were hidden from her bangs, and the shadows that casted over them. The movement of the crowd, made it near impossible to focus on the witch. "Is it wise to be here? I sense that not only your safety, but another are at risk with your presence in this area."

"What?" Jack whipped around, not even seeing the woman there. He seemed unnerved, glancing back to Shane's body. "(Whoever that was... she's right... There's nothing I can do to save my friend now.)" He clenched his fist, before fleeing the area.

Not long after Jack fled Oakwood, the crowds finally made their way from the central area of the execution. The Templar still remained as one of the lower officers approached Lyra.

"How should we dispose of the body?" One inquired.

"Dump it in the chamber of death. He doesn't deserve to be sent to the maker by fire. Let his corpse fester." She said, climbing on top of a Pegasus mount, that had been kept nearby. "I must inform my dearest Aoba. Come along hare." She called to Hige, who timidly followed her directions, getting on the horse behind her.

"Ser." The templar saluted as she took off into the sky.

Shane's body was cut down from the noose, and tossed into an underground mass-burial chamber, where several human bones, and remains were scattered about.