Just outside of Knothole, Miles and Ashewyn were wandering the marshlands. Some time had passed since Nye had awoken, perhaps several months. Miles didn't seem too thrilled, following the red haired Amygdala. "Remind me why we're doing this?" He grunted. He was wearing a different change of clothes that made him look more mature, and part of his hair had grown longer.

Ashewyn glanced back, tilting his head with a quirked brow. "I thought you wanted to keep Nye safe. We've gotten lucky this far, but she said there was an entrance to the deep roads, not far from Knothole. It only makes sense to seal it, before they realize where we're at."

"Yeah, I get that, but why couldn't someone else help with it?" Miles groaned, following after Ashe. "I should be with Nye."

"I think she can take care of herself, now that she's fully recovered. It is only a supply run, so she'll be fine." Ashe replied, keeping his eyes ahead now.

"Fine, I get it, but don't you think it would have been better to have Sol helping you with this? I would have figured you'd want an excuse to spend more time with her." Miles kept his hand to the hilt of his blade.

Ashewyn grew quiet, continuing through the swamp. "... I think you have the wrong idea, Stripe. It's not like that at all, and I rather keep it this way."

"Oh?" Miles' ears perked up, before walking up beside Ashe with a sly smirk. "So you wouldn't care if I wanted a piece of that?"

"Nope." Ashe didn't even hesitated. "All yours, buddy."

"This day just might not be so bad after all then." Miles closed his eyes, briefly as they reached the secret entrance to Wynorex.

It was a tree stump, with a very narrow passage inside. Miles peered inside the stump's hole, as Ashewyn stood beside him. "Let's get to work." Ashe stated, and Miles had nodded in agreement.

Meanwhile, the scene panned into a massive tower, that was adorned in carvings of dragons. Surrounding the stone tower was an abundance of trees and plant life. Inside was a military set up for the Templar forces. Archer sentries were stationed at the peak of it, while many stealth forces were positioned inside. Eclipse was standing within the war room, looking over the map of Desdemuna. This location must have been the spy master's headquarters outside of Skyworld.

She wasn't alone however, Gaigas stood against the wall with his arms crossed. Talis was standing beside her, seeming more timid than usual, while Manik quietly observed the map from the opposite side. Two other young dragon were with them, both red haired, and appeared to be brothers. One had black in his hair, and lightning bolt tattoos under his eyes. The other carried a strip beard, with a tattoo on his shoulder, and a cigarette in his mouth. Both seemed to tower over the others, with how tall they were.

"I've consulted with Skyletra, and we devised a new strategy to ensure all targets are located and captured. If you can all look to the map." Eclipse spoke up, getting her dragons' attention. Her finger pointed to the snowy mountains of Artiren, where a tack was place. "Manik, I'll be sending you here to investigate Artiren. I feel you are more accustomed to cold climate, and would be more suited there."

Manik bowed in response, "As you command." He said, before vanishing off like a ninja.

"Gaigas, I'm sending you into unknown territory here, a place that used to be known as Gridrom." Eclipse ordered, pointing to the marker on the map.

"Tzz, whatever." Gaigas pushed himself off the wall, and proceeded to the window. He spread his black wings, before soaring off.

Eclipse's finger shifted to an island in the center of the map. "Rocksan, I know you're the best when it comes to extreme heat. So I'm having you go to Krystal island."

"Sheesh, can't ya just call me Rocky, like everybody else?" Rocksan, the man with the strip beard, chuckled, placing out his cigarette.

"Brother, I think it's best to focus on the mission at hand." The other red dragon looked to him.

Rocky shifted, walking to his brother, before messing up his hair. "Always right to business, little bro. You're never any fun." Rocky teased, before flying off as well.

The brother crossed his arms, peering over to Eclipse. She glanced his way, pointing to the map. "Heath, I expect you to suit up for this. I'm leaving the Mystic woods to you. If that witch is still there, the only one I can depend on is you, the Armored Assassin."

"Leave everything to me, I won't disappoint you, Eclipse." Heath nodded, heading into another room to prepare his armor.

"What about me, Lady Spy master?" Talis turned to Eclipse.

"I think it's best if you remain here in Dragon's Keep, Talis. Don't think I haven't taken notice." Eclipse looked to Talis, who tried to cover her slightly noticeable stomach. "You're only barely showing now, but I can tell you're with child. You're so lucky, I've always wanted children of my own. You should be resting."

Talis sighed, looking away with disappointment. Eclipse shrugged, stepping over to place a hand to the female dragon's shoulder. Talis appeared startled, as she looked at the elf.

"I know you've been fond of Gaigas for sometime, but you seem to be avoiding him lately. I don't mean to pry, but did something happen?" Eclipse inquired, with a gentle tone.

Talis grimaced, looking to her feet. "He's the father... but I didn't want it like this. He forced himself on me, and now... I'm afraid to go anywhere near him."

"Tally, why didn't you tell me sooner?" Eclipse furrowed her brows, to hug the female dragon.

"There's been too much going on, and so much work to do. I didn't want to interfere with the grand master's plan." Talis spoke softly, leaning into her shoulder.

"I understand. For now, you rest. Understand? Leave everything else to me. I won't force you to be around Gaigas anymore. Everything will be alright. I promise." Eclipse held Talis' shoulders, looking to her with caring eyes.

Talis nodded. "Thank you, lady Spy maser. I hope I'm not to much of a burden."

"You aren't. Don't ever think that. Just stay here and get some rest. I'll be investigating around the marshlands, near Belmont. I suspect the Angel of Death has moved somewhere into that forest."

"Please be careful." Talis spoke up.

"I always am." Eclipse smiled, before disembarking down the staircase outside the war room.

The view panned up to the cloudy evening sky, before transitioning down to a dark mountainous region. There was no living plants to be seen, and bones scattered on all reaches of the area. Trigger lead a battle-ready team of Templar in, along side Enoch and Jayson.

"So, let me get this straight. You think we're gonna find that Queen here, in the bad lands of Demonia?" Jayson looked over to her, with an annoyed gaze.

"Do you ever shut up?" Trigger shot him a cold glare.

"That doesn't answer my question." Jayson retorted, halting for a moment.

Enoch looked to Jayson as he walked up to him. "Just let it go." He suggested, walking ahead, after Trigger.

Jayson crossed his arms, with an angry huff, before following after the two of them, with the others following in the rear. Nightfall was nearing ever so quickly. Ahead was a natural underpass, forming right out of the mountain. The forces proceeded through, unaware of the darkness that loomed overhead. A red mist began to flow into their path, all around them.

"S-Ser?!" One of the Templar called, shaking in fear. "Is t-that miasma?!"

Trigger didn't reply, simply removing her blade from it's holster. This cued Jayson, Enoch and the others to withdraw their weapons as well. Some carried blades, while others held bows. Something was watching them however, but none could see. The mere gaze from the eyes forming in the miasma made them feel like they were being watched as it was, however there was something more.

Elongated claws crawled along the ceiling of the underpass, hanging upside down in the shadows with many eyes locked onto the Templar group. Behind the leader, a crash was heard, causing most to of the Templar to get stirred. Enoch and Jayson glanced back, becoming startled as well, upon seeing a dark purple tentacle pulling one of the Templar up by her leg. The woman was screaming, crying out as she tried to get loose. Many shakily held their bows out to aim at the tentacle, quivering from shock.

The Templar was raised into the darkness, with only a crescent shaped smile, and hundreds of eyes looming. The fiend was watching, and the Templar stumbled back in panic. Trigger pulled to her gun, firing it up at the top of the cavern without hesitation. The fiend was far too quick, slipping out of the way into the mist, before reemerging from the opposite side.

"HELP MEEEEE!!!" Cried the female Templar, as the fiend chomped into her neck, tearing out a large piece of her flesh.

The Templar urgently looked to the cry, spotting Sclera hanging there, with a tentacle still around the Templar's corpse. She grinned, chewing at the body with blood rolling down their lips. It was dripping down upon the Templar below, while the insane fiend eyed them intensely.

"Ehehehe...." She cackled, meeting eyes with Trigger, who was preparing another gunshot. "Hun...gry...." Her eyes intensified, as they slit rapidly.

Trigger let off the shot, but once again missed the shot. However, this time the corpse dropped to the ground. This caused the Templar to scattered in terror, seeing the body of their fellow companion. Trigger fired another shot, aimed near the others to get their attention.

"Scream one more time, and I'll leave you to die!" She snapped.

The others quickly hushed, trying to contain their fear to avoid conflict with their commanding officer.

"Trigger, what is that thing?" Jayson got in close, with his blade at ready.

"That's an Oculus fiend, and there's no hiding from it." Trigger explained, sternly, as she reloaded her rifle. "We fight, or we die."

Behind them, the corpse of the female Templar flopped to her feet, like a marionette. Dragging her feet, the corose came up behind another Templar, grabbing them. This caused the man to shriek loudly. Trigger whipped around, firing a shot through the head of the corpse, but that didn't stop it from pulling the man to the ground.

"How is that possible!? Killing the brain should of stopped a walking corpse!" Trigger gasped, in surprise.

"Might not be a zombie..." Enoch got his back up against Trigger's. "We should move."

"Sounds like you all have it figured out." Came a lazy voice from above the rock formation. Sitting there, with his hand held like a puppeteer, was Shane. He grinned with that crooked smile of his, shifting his hand, which caused the marionette corpse to snap it's victim's neck. "Just a little trick I learned." He said, as the body fell to the ground.

The other Templar got behind Trigger, and the other two in a hurry. All their eyes were on Shane, who kept that smile on his face. Sclera dropped from the ceiling, crawling over to the downed corpse. She ripped apart his stomach, and began to devour his organs like some cannibal. Raising her head, to look to the fearful Templar, Sclera licked her lips, to stop the blood from running down her jaw.

One of the timid Templar decided to run, but was shot down by a twisted ball of fire that came from the opposite side of the ridge, that the canyon was breaching into. He cried out horrible shrieks of pain, as flesh was burning from his body, before he collapsed to the ground. The sound of wings beating against the wind was heard, as some dark colored feathers floated down from above.

More on edge now, the others turned to the source, only to spot Finch with that plague doctor mask on his face. He held his will-o-wisp lantern to the side, as he tilted his head at them, with a chuckle. "Pestilence, infection, fever, pain. You had your chance to end this, but you only look at us with fear and disdain." He spoke in his usual cryptic manner, folding his unusual wings behind his back.

The Templar forces took a step backwards, but a red orb of blood rose from the nearby puddles, trailing as it spiraled over to the path ahead. The orb or blood floated above an extended hand, from the twisted Dream Weaver, Jehxal. He held a deranged grin, as the blood hovered there in front of him. "I'm been dying to get my hands dirty. Muwahahahahaa..." He cackled, thrusted his open hand in the path of the Templar.

The ichor magic spun, taking form into spears. The blood magic began to rapidly rain down upon them, impaling several Templar as the spears crashed into the ground. With the path blocked now, the Templars were fumbling into each other from panic. Trigger did the only thing she could, and began to fire upon the four attackers. Shot after shot, she missed her mark. She was trembling as much as the others now.

The underlings couldn't contain themselves for much longer, and made a run for it. Shane dropped from above, landing behind them, as he manipulated the other corpse to rise. It's intestines dropped to the ground, hanging from it's body as it grabbed onto a nearby Templar. There was a shrill of panic, sending them all into a frenzy. The ones nearest Shane had no chance once he withdrew his fanged waveblades. It was only a mere few seconds before he cut their heads, or arms from their bodies.

From the blood, Jehxal formed blood wolves, that oozed like a decaying corpse. Letting out howls, the blood beasts rushed some of the Templar, ripping them apart. With the paths blocked, and the majority of their forces rapidly falling like flies; Trigger, Jayson and Enoch made haste for the nearest path, through the canyon. A roll of shrieks and cries was echoing behind them, but they didn't have any other options. Fire was cast from above, but the three quickly attempted to dodge the blast. Upon doing so, Trigger and Jayson lost their footing, falling down a hill to another part of the gorge below.

"Trigger! Jayson! Behind you!!" Enoch called in panic, as something was coming up behind them, before he could do anything to help them, the tip of a bone-like tail was held to Jayson's throat like a dagger.

"What the!?" Jayson gasped in a panic.

A twisted grin emerged from the shadows behind him, as Sclera slit his throat. Jayson felt his body shaking as he hit the ground; the blood gurgled to the surface, and his vision was fading. Sharp claws dug into his chest, pulling the sternum in half. Blood was gushing out further, as Sclera's teeth began to tear the elf's insides apart. After a last blood curdling scream, Jayson's body ceased movement.

"Jayson!!" Enoch yelled, uneasily and he slid to the bottom of the gorge.

"Dammit!!!" Trigger got back. "It's too late for him, we have to leave! NOW!" Trigger insisted, Hurrying to Enoch, as they continued to run, in hopes of finding a quick escape route.

A rear view showed the four in their different positions, carefully watching as the two fled deeper into the canyon. Shadows casted over each of their faces, with menacing expressions forming upon them; as the red miasma danced around the rocky pathway. Wind gusted by, as the jarring gazes shifted from the two, as they moved out of sight.

"Sclera likes when they run... Eheheh.... So hungrrrrryyy." Sclera kept her crazed eyes focused to the pathway.

Shane let the nearby corpses drop to the ground. "They'll both be dead soon enough, I say we leave them." He said, as he pressed the back of his waveblade against his shoulder, with a lazy expression.

"To leave them to fester, would only be a wasted gesture." Finch stood, hiding behind his bird-faced mask. The will-o-wisp lantern still in his hand.

"I think we can stack up a few more casualties. This battle has only just started. Ahahahaha." Jehxal chuckled, with a sinister tone, before phasing off in pursuit. One by one, each of them phased off into darkness.

Through fast paced running, Trigger and Enoch dashed through the Demonia Valley. Monsters were beginning to spawn from nearby pits, and holes in the mountain. The beasts made rumbling clicking sounds, before they began to surround the two of them. Trigger and Enoch got back to back quickly, holding position for combat.

"It's kill or be killed. We have to fight if we want to live." Enoch glanced to Trigger.

"Good. You're paying attention." Trigger cocked her rifle, before blowing back one of the nearing lesser fiends.

Enoch scoffed, rushing with staff swaying. He side swept, getting behind a nearing fiend. Glancing back, he jabbed the blade of it into the monster behind him. Trigger fired off more shots at the lesser fiends, over and over, but the beasts kept coming. For every two they took down, four more took their place. The tension was rising, and soon enough Trigger was out of ammo.

"I'm running on empty here!" She shouted, pulling to her sword.

"They're just not letting up!!" Enoch called back, sweating with anxiety.

A large four legged fiend began to barrel their way, tackling Trigger back against the ground with great force. She tumbled, getting scraped up by the ground's rock formations as she knocked into the mountain's wall.

"Not good!" Enoch gasped, getting into a battle position.

Enoch rushed, his weapon to his side as he came inbound, but as his back was turned a fiend came up behind him, sinking it's teeth into his right shoulder. "ARHHHHHHH!!!" He cried out in agony. Trigger's eyes slowly shifted his way, with fatigue. She was laying on the ground covered in cuts and bruises. Blood was dripping down her forehead, with the static of silence ringing in her ears.

Enoch's bowstaff was still gripped tight as he sneered fiercely to the biting monster. The beast was slashed back with his blade, but he was panting heavily now. The fiend that knocked Trigger back, was preparing to charge once more, but before it could, Enoch had broken through the horde, to defend his ally. The monsters were not shrinking in numbers by any means.

"Trigger?" Enoch called, trying to get to her side.

She lifted her head to look at him as he got close. Enoch kept in position, protecting Trigger, but he glanced back to see her condition. "We'll get through this-..." Enoch suddenly gasped for air, as a poleaxe burst through his chest. Some of his blood splattered onto Trigger's face as she stared to him in shock. Without delay the weapon was pulled out, and Enoch had dropped to his hands and knees, coughing up blood. "You... have to... run..." He gasped, before falling limp.

There was a loud crunch, as the boot of a metal grieves roughly stepped onto his back, to cross over him. Standing there, with a poleaxe in hand, and smug grin, was Jehxal. He licked his lips, as he drew closer. "There's no where to run, and no where to hide. Hahahahaah..."

Jehxal raised his free hand into the air, as blood rose from the ground. The red ooze morphed, taking form of long, extending, human shaped arms. The hands were reaching for Trigger, right as she was stumbling up to her feet. One grabbed her leg, pulling her back down to the surface. Tears of fear were forming in her eyes, as she frantically kicked back the wrist portion of the grabbing hands of blood.

Scrambling to her feet, Trigger fumbled as she urgently fled for her life. Jehxal's face grew bored, as he snapped his finger. Immediately the blood formations dropped like a splash of water. His lip quivered into a dangerous smirk. "Heh...Hehheh... OoooOooooh, try as you might, little mouse... THERE'S NO ESCAPING ME!!" He cackled, dashing after her like a madman, letting his poleaxe shift back into the pauldron on his chest.

Through panicked breaths, Trigger ran as hard and fast as she could. However, Jehxal was closing in behind her. She didn't dare look back, frantically hurrying ahead. She was coming up to a suspension bridge, that hung over a wide valley below. As she proceeded to cross, the bridge began to swing, causing Trigger to stumble to the side. She clutched onto the rope, hanging on tightly. Floor boards behind her slowly creaked, as Jehxal followed her onto the bridge.

"GET BACK HERE!" He growled, phasing her way like a dark wind. Jehxal forcefully grabbed her wrist, causing the suspension bridge to sway more violently.

"Let go of me!!" Trigger cried, pulling away hard.

She hadn't realized that she had lost her footing, until she had already fallen off the bridge. Her eyes flashed a glimpse of Jehxal holding to the side, watching her crash further into the darkness of the valley below. His eyes had grown cold, seriously staring at her, until she was no longer in his line of sight. Everything went black.

The sound of leaves crunch, with what felt like a slight swaying movement. The feeling off fur brushed against Trigger's cheek. Slowly exposing her eyes, she saw a figure through hazy vision. Something was carrying her, or rather, someone. Her sight began to clear up, as the moonlight shined from above. To her surprise, it was Flint who was holding her in his arms, as he was proceeding through what appeared to be a forest, with trees hanging overhead.

"(...Of all the people in the world, why did it have to be the Templar Lupis?)" Trigger thought to herself, as her eyes struggled to stay open. "I... despise you..." She muttered quietly, before losing consciousness.

Flint only glanced down to her, with a gentle gaze, before they vanished off into the brush.

Elsewhere, the scene was coming up to a badly damaged, post-apocalyptic city. It felt futuristic in comparison to the world as it was, but everything was in utter shambles. Flying to it from overseas, was Nye, carrying Solitaire by her wrists. Nye set Solitaire down, before landing beside her. Each of them were carrying cross-body bags, to bring back any supplies they could find.

"Spooky, what is this place?..." Solitaire muttered, staring to the highway ahead of them.

"I'm not sure, but perhaps we can find some supplies here." Nye replied, as the two carried on.

Many flying cars had been abandoned on the crumbling highway. The girls walked for some time through the maze of vehicles, before coming up to a downed highway sign. As the sign flickered, It read, 'Gridrom', 'Next Exit', with gunshot holes scattered through. There seemed to be something still powering it, but the energy was cutting out frequently. Solitaire was staring in slight horror upon the city ahead now. There was destroyed skyscrapers and other buildings, but it was hard to see from their position.

"W-What happened here?..." Solitaire asked, her voice trembling.

"I couldn't say." Nye glanced to her, with an uncertain gaze. "Is something wrong, Solitaire? You seem shaken."

"This... This was my home..." Solitaire explained, holding back tears.

Nye placed her hand to the other girl's shoulder. "I'm sorry."

"I guess it can't be helped. We should go search for those supplies." Solitaire grimaced, trying to keep a brave face.

She walked ahead, leading the way through the graveyard of abandoned cars, as Nye followed after her. "Aye."

The girls continue from the abandoned highway into the city of Gridrom. The disaster had hit even harder in the city, buildings were damaged and things were left scattered along the ground. There was even some burnt locations, where fire had once been. Nye crouched down, looking to an abandoned doll on the ground.

"Whatever happened here, people fled in a hurry." She said, placing away the doll in her bag, as she stood to her feet.

Solitaire hesitantly nodded, talking a few steps forward. "There's some shops up ahead. Maybe there's something inside we can use?"

"Following you then." Nye replied, continuing after the pink haired girl.

They wandered through this ghost town, rummaging around the powerless abandoned shops, and passing by great amounts of scattered debris. Their bags were starting to get full after some time of looking and collecting objects of use.

"It's like no one has been here in ages..." Solitaire spoke up.

"It's possible that no one has dared to come here, after what happened centuries ago. I'm not sure on all the details, but we should get going." Nye replied, glancing to Solitaire.

"Centuries ago..." Solitaire glanced to her feet. "No sense dwelling on the past." She said, relaxing herself a bit.

They decided to head back the way they came, walking through more empty streets of things left behind. However, Nye happened to notice a building that they hadn't ventured into. It was a large structure, that appeared to be some sort of science facility, on top of a hill.

Solitaire glanced to it as well. "What do you see, Spooky?" She asked, in a puzzled tone.

"That building... it seems... Familiar." Nye stated softly.

"Only one way to find out. So, should we go and have a gander?" Solitaire turned to Nye, with a playful expression.

"I think we should." Nye smirked to her.

"Brilliant! On our way then." Solitaire exclaimed, seeming in better spirits.

The duo traveled up the hill, to the structure at the top. Upon reaching the summit, they saw broken out windows, and vehicles that had been thrown aside. There was all sorts of damage and debris that lead from this building as well. The front entrance had the doors blown out, and burn marks from where fire had been previously. The two made their way inside, passing under many electrical circuits that hung from the torn out ceiling above. The power didn't seem to be working here, and it was darker inside than that of the other buildings.

Solitaire took out a lantern from her bag, lighting it with a matchstick. It illuminated the dark path ahead, into the damaged building's halls that laid ahead. As they wandered through the various broken in rooms, they came across a laboratory. Inside was various shattered glass cylinders with dried blood left coating some of the walls, and places on the floor of the cobweb infested area.

Not far front their feet were a few human skeletons, that were left laying around. They wandered in, but Nye stopped to look to a particular skeleton that was shoved up against a broken vat. It had a glass shard stuck in it's chest cavity, and was laying in the arms of another that had some glass caught where it's eye socket would have been. She couldn't help but remember what Lenault had showed her. "(This was how I died...)" She thought.

Solitaire glanced to them, holding her chest. "Dying in your lover's arms... That's so tragic..."

Nye seemed in brief thought as she listened to Solitaire's words, while looking to the remains. "..." She then turned, walking further into the lab or broken vats. "Come on." She called softly.

Solitaire followed after her, and they reached another room with broken glass chambers. Skeletal corpses laid around, as Nye glanced ahead, seeing a sign on a steel plated door. It read, 'DANGER: Authorized personnel only'. Nye approached it, attempting to push the door open, but it was locked. To the right side was an encrypted keypad, with a card-key swipe. Nye was puzzled by it, as she looked it over.

"Is it locked?" Solitaire peered from behind Nye's shoulder.

"Seems to be." Nye glanced back. "Do you know how to open it?"

Solitaire crossed her arms. "If I had a NAT, maybe... But that keypad's chances of working are pretty slim. I might know a loophole that could get us in though." She looked to the keypad, shifting her posture, before morphing her arm into a blade. "Could be dangerous inside either way, but it's worth a shot."

"By all means, I think we can handle it." Nye nodded.

Solitaire smirked, as she stuck into the keypad with her blade arm. Nothing happened. "Well, that was total crap." She grumbled.

Nye formed her wraith edge to her hand, and walked up to the door. "We could try to pry it open."

"Good idea." Solitaire nodded, as she stepped to the opposite side.

They both stuck in the tips of their blades into the middle section of the door, digging it between the cracks. As they got the blade jammed in, they forced the metal doors to slide apart. Both stood quiet for a moment as their eyes trailed inside the dark chamber. Solitaire held up the lantern, in hopes of seeing inside.

Before them was a lone glass tank, filled with liquids that stood in the center of a dark room. Inside the cylindrical glass chamber was a naked male figure, he had dark green skin, that was covered in stitches. His ears were like an elf's, and his hair was like the night sky. Black tubes were plugged into several spots on his smooth body, which came out from the top of the tank.

There was something off about this figure however, his face had a marking covering where his mouth should be, and one of his arms was completely corrupted with a black mass. The most disturbing part about him however, was the red, mouth-like appendage coming from his collarbone.