The shattered moon did a fine job of illuminating Vale’s roads, although the streetlamps were adequate enough. Night had fallen upon the kingdom, dwindling the number of active civilians. Their guardians were never absent, though.

“Pretty funny how we’re the first to get these textbooks, you know?” Zara smirked, although Lucifer didn’t see anything funny about it, all things considered. “I wish they were available earlier, though. Maybe then we wouldn’t be here this late just to skip tomorrow’s mob.”

“I have my team to blame for that, and I’m guessing you have yours. My memories fail me- what are they called? They’re not all faunus, right?”

“Aha, no. Only me. We’re Team Blazer.” She admitted. “You should meet them sometime. Team Lance might be one of the more unconventional teams, but in that area I think they might have you beat. Half of them forced me to come here, and I don’t even know where the last one is. You?”

“Nadia had personal business. The others wanted some extra sleep, so I offered.”

“You’re not tired?” Zara yawned.

“Negative.”

“Guess that means we’re both nocturnal, huh?”

“You don’t know the half of it.” They retrieved the textbooks from Beacon’s library then sat down at one of the exterior tables to survey the inventory.

“I love how we get the bundle for free as long as we have our library cards. This ‘Textbook Set Number One’ better have everything though, otherwise it’ll sour the cake.” Zara sorted through her four sets. “Wait a second, this batch is missing one. Do you have all yours?”

“I’ve got everything.” Lucifer took a seat.

“Ugh. Guess I have to go complain, now.” She marched away with her bags. Lucifer sighed, checking his scroll. Nothing. Good.

He knew somebody was approaching him- their squishy footsteps, while quiet to anyone else, met his ears. A glance over showcased something more horrifying than anything he’d encountered since his time in Beacon began, period. The freak was malnourished but tall, sporting the clothes of a dummy, and holding a wide smile that would have seemed more appropriate on a pumpkin. Lucifer had seen him a few times in Stam’s class, but opted to ignore the antics, and spare himself the madness.

“You seem like an odd little fellow!” The apparition noted Lucifer’s short-lived but potent reputation. “How could anyone think you’re scarier than me?”

“You’ve got the wrong guy. Move on.” He grunted.

“No, no, no! You’re in my classes, and with such mystery clouding you, I wanted the privilege of breaking the ice! What’s your name?”

“Hmph.”

“’Hmph?’ Well that’s a scary name! Mine is Rade!” The degenerate conjured up a thick book with strange symbols on it. The withered pages were swung to a blank sheet without command. Rade scribbled in the fake name with a quill pen. “And just for my own curiosity, for such a foe surrounded by fear, you must have a few of your own! What are you afraid of?”

“Conversation. Now leave.” Lucifer rolled his eyes.

“Tsk, tsk, tsk! I don’t think that’s right.” Rade shook his head and tapped on the page in an exaggerated display. “Try, try again!”

“Leave, leave again.” Lucifer’s patience wasn’t very plentiful.

“If you insist.” The book warped out of existence and Rade skipped into the shadow. Lucifer watched his silhouette fade, then looked forward. Rade was sitting in the chair opposite to his.

“How did you-“

“Ooh! Is that a journal begging for your greatest fears, or are you just happy to see me?” Rade cackled.

Lucifer looked down, the world atlas-sized book staring him in the eye. Lucifer grabbed the pen and finally cracked, writing down an answer. He slid the book back.

‘Go away.’ Was written next to ‘Hmph.’

“Fiddle-sticks! Now I can’t use this page!” Rade ripped it out and slithered next to the unwilling applicant. “You’re not a very happy camper, are you? Your mask must have a few screws loose!”

“Listen to me!” Lucifer wrenched Rade face-to-face by the noose around his shriveled neck. “You have nothing to gain by staying here, and plenty to lose! I welcome it!”

“Hohoo! Don’t be so daft!” The creep breathed into Lucifer’s metallic face, spouting green fog forth. He shuffled back a few feet, seemingly stunned. Rade took the opportunity to pull out his pitchfork. Having thrown in the towel and gone forward with full offensive intent, he whacked his enemy with it, ignoring or forgetting the prongs.

“Dargh!” Lucifer swung forward towards what he perceived to be the fork’s source, but met nothing. Rade had already swooped around, and struck him again. The charade continued for a couple more hits until Lucifer was able to dodge around Rade’s disorienting dance and get ahold of him. One brutal punch did a number on the fear-inducing maniac, but there was more treachery to come.

A jack-in-the-box flew from a staggered Rade onto the floor and opened without even playing the tune fit for such a device. A caricature of its owner bobbed forth, somehow stunning Lucifer. Considering his expertise and military-tech, a flashbang wouldn’t have been effective in the slightest. Against all odds this was.

Rade whipped Lucifer upside the head with his armament and proceeded forth with a series of nimble kicks. Lucifer could take a little more than a beating though, and despite some considerate blows to his Aura, he was undeterred.

He grabbed Rade by his leg and chucked him straight into the ground.

“Ack! That… caused pain!” Rade convulsed in all directions. It was hard to tell if he was really in trouble, or if he was putting on a show. Lucifer didn’t care, he brought the pitchfork down around Rade’s neck, alongside his noose. It didn’t cause any real damage, the pikes missing, thought it did lock him in place.

“Willing to play nice, now?” Lucifer threatened. Rade’s chortles never left, they only grew more plentiful. He wasn’t even close to finished, already having a plan to turn the tides. But the fight was diffused before he could take the chance.

“What are you doing!?” Zara dropped her textbooks. “L-Lucifer! Stop!”

“Stay back, Zara! This scoundrel was at my throat!”

“No! He attacked first!” Rade said.

“Stop! Get off him! That’s my teammate!” Zara bolted over. She took charge of the pitchfork and tugged it out of the ground.

“Teammate!? What?” He was speechless.

“Eck!” Rade groaned, hopping up and stretching.

“Rade, are you okay?” Zara patted him on the shoulder. “What are you doing here? If you were going to show up anyway, you could have helped me with the books! No doubt, you’re at least partially to blame for this.”

“M-My apologies. I had no idea.” The words of regret seemed foreign coming out of Lucifer’s mouth.

“Sorry? For what? I was having fun! The thrill of battle is almost as great as the thrill of a scare!” Rade did a spastic jig.

“So we’re on good terms?” Lucifer crossed his arms.

“I hold no grudges! At the very worst, I would’ve had to use my semblance! But only one has ever forced me- and you ain’t him.” Rade had the sense not to ask about fears, at least for now. “Sometime I ought to get a fair rematch, though! I’m looking forward to it!”

“In your dreams.” Lucifer began a slow jog back to Beacon Academy’s dorm rooms, the textbooks in hand.

“No dreams! Only nightmares!” Rade looked around and crept deep into the night’s shade. Even if Lucifer hadn’t given in regarding his secrets, there were plenty of other students not as adamant to hold their cards so close to their chest. “Catch you later!”

“You too. Try to be back before midnight.” Zara picked up her own bags and ran to catch up with Lucifer. Their sparse conversation was mundane, especially in the wake of the recent mishaps. Getting back to their rooms was number one priority, as the recent incident reminded them of Vale’s tendency to bring about a bump in the night. Rade wasn’t even the worst of it. Nadia was about to learn that first hand.

The edge of Vale was mostly devoid of any light save for the occasional lantern. After seeing this fact, Nadia had an idea that was ultimately proven correct. As long as night was upon her, the sky bordering the ocean would deepen further into darkness and show even more stars than usual. Their luminescence was generously sprinkled throughout, creating a deluge of beauty few would appreciate.

The Huntress-trainee leaned on the fence of the pier, smiling in contentment, quick to nearly meditate at the view. She was displeased to hear a blemish on the wave’s echo, the horn of a ship docking. “A cruise ship?” she thought. At this late hour, a luxurious yacht was most unexpected. Perhaps they were simply off schedule. A shadow left the exit-gates alone, and moseyed down the wooden dock.

“Missy? Surely a lass such as yourself would be better suited indoors at this late hour, no?” The man chuckled, balancing against the plank-barrier and striking conversation. He was dressed as the ideal tourist, all the way down to his tropical shirt and shorts.

“I… Uh, I’m from Beacon Academy. I can handle myself.” She considered the interloper harmless, but was unused to small talk with absolute strangers.

“That’s none other than the combat school, am I right? My apologies, I’m new to Vale.”

“No, that’s right!” Nadia nodded. “Welcome to our kingdom. Y-You’ll love it here. It’s, um, not like the others.”

“I’m counting on it. The name’s Dimitri.” His grin was unreasonably wide, and his hollow eyes didn’t help. But if Nadia had judged people on appearance alone, her teammates wouldn’t have stood a chance.

“Nadia.” She beamed back.

“I was wondering, Nadia, if you could do me the teeny-tiniest little favor!”

“O-Okay… What is it?”

“Could you catch a snapshot of me in front of the waves?” Dimitri unwrapped his camera from around his neck and held it forward.

“I’m sorry if I mess it up.” His task required her to take several steps back. He leaned both arms on the railing and smiled at the lens. After the job was done, she handed it back to him. “Is that good?”

“I couldn’t ask for anything more. Till next time!” He pat her on the back, enjoying how well framed the shot was, before drifting away towards the promise land. Nadia bowed to resume her star-watching session. His crooning could be heard even as he approached the wharf’s gate.

“Stop right there!” One of two cops charged into the scene to apprehend the sightseer. “You are under arrest! Get down, now!”

“Gentlemen, you’ve got the wrong guy! I’m just out on vacation!” Dimitri spat out an earnest attempt at reasoning, pointing at his camera as if it was somehow proof.

“Silence! You thought you could get away just by leaving Mistral?” One of them approached with handcuffs at the ready.

“You got me, I surrender!” He held both his hands up. One of the policemen held a baton at the ready, the other proceeded to pull his arms down. They could only get one cuff locked onto his wrist before resistance arrived. His voice, when shouting, had a frighteningly effective pierce to it. “Not a chance! You’re laid off!”

Dimitri force his elbow into them both, meaning to take full advantage of the stupor that followed. A slick attack that more resembled a karate technique threw the lawman overhead, into the ocean below. With half his enemies already gone, Dimitri was sitting pretty. The other cop was dealt with as efficiently as the first, only instead of the sea he found resolve further down the docks.

“I hope your kind come back, lest we find solace in the peace of a great holiday!” Dimitri summoned an extendable crowbar and prepared to strike true. Someone unseen halted his swing. “What!?”

Nadia needn’t say anything, her intentions more than clear. She glared up at him with fierce eyes, blocking his swing with her needles.

“A hero? Oho, you’re going to be spectacular.” His lips stretched ear to ear. “I think I found myself a new apprentice! Here’s hoping you fare better than the last!”

The fight began as any would, a game of back and forth that ended in a tie. Nadia was swift, faster than most, but her edge was lost in a one on one engagement. Dimitri had no shortage of tricks nor practice, using the crowbar like a sword when convenient or a club when needed. Although Nadia’s agility allowed her to get a few shots in, there wasn’t enough time to inject venom, and Dimitri’s Aura seemed endless.

“Take that!” Dimitri blindsided her with a metal right hook, then followed up with a barrage of hits that threw Nadia off balance.

“Ah!” She gasped, turning invisible to evade his wrath. While Dimitri loved his one-liners and wit, she put full focus on the fight. It rewarded her well. Finally, she snuck a few rakes in, but her opposition was stronger than the average Grimm. More would be needed to subdue him.

“You’ve got me fired up!” A twirl of steel followed the laugh, blocking further incursions. Their choreography was admirable, even more so how Dimitri could keep up with Nadia despite her insistence to go invisible after every stalemate.

Eventually Dimitri’s own apparel stood in the way. The floor was smooth from the water’s outbreak, and his fur slippers could find no pity on the slippery bridge. A number of planks split under his weight. Amidst a stroke of pure genius, or perhaps mindless idiocy, Dimitri used one to shield himself. The four pins impaled the wood, sticking through to the other side.

“Spicy!” Dimitri twisted the makeshift talisman and pulled, forcing Nadia over him onto her back. The two sprinted to their feet and clashed with their chosen weapons.

“Enough of this!” Nadia huffed out, making a potentially foolish move. She broke the staring contest and attempted a calculated stab with her gauntlet. This was a particular favorite of hers. It had brought an uneasy death to many foes before.

All her speed and finesse did nothing. Dimitri had her beat with a ruthless parry. She was both physically and mentally dazed at his ensuing onslaught.

The criminal ended the fight by spinning his crowbar forth and latching the hooked portion onto Nadia’s shoulder, whirling her onto her back. She had Aura to spare, but Dimitri wasn’t having it. His slipper locked Nadia’s equipped arm to the ground.

“G-Get off! How dare you!” She struggled to get free with her other hand.

Vale’s new inhabitant considered saying something but decided against it when several floodlights targeted him. He was once again intercepted by the police, only there were far more this time.

“Hands up! Do not move! You are under arrest by command of Augustus Correctional Facility!” A bullhead’s loudspeaker shouted him down. Several cops set their reticles on him.

“Correctional!? Hohoo, they don’t know what they’re in for!” Dimitri crouched down and laughed in Nadia’s face. “I came here after my last student couldn’t take the heat. And now, for my troubles, I’ve run right into you! The perfect replacement. You’re mine, do you hear me? Good. Stay in touch!”

He did as commanded, throwing in the towel. His captors advanced with care to avoid the last failure that had befallen the police force. For all the tension building, it was almost disappointing to see Dimitri let them put the chains on this time. The only defiance displayed was verbal.

“Are you alright?” One of the cops gave Nadia a hand.

“I-I guess... He’s dangerous, you know.”

“We know. The guy’s been wanted in both Mistral and Vacuo.”

“That bad, huh? I… I should probably go with you, then.” She craned her neck around, recovering from the ordeal. As long as her Aura wasn’t depleted, she was willing do her duty.

“If you insist. Hey, we could use a testimony, actually. Ever been to Augustus Correctional?”

“Oh, um… I can’t say that I have. Sorry. I just moved her recently. I hope it’s nicer than it sounds.” Nadia simpered.

“As long as you’re on our side, I’d say it is.” The police ensured her. She followed the crew into the nearest squad car and drove off towards the so called Augustus Correctional Facility. She couldn’t have possibly known she was headed to one of the most expansive prisons Sanus had to offer.

The treatment center was home to a varied army of scum Remnant had spawned, but its titular owner was nowhere to be found. Augustus probably could have been a great ally in detaining Dimitri, if he wasn’t occupied on the other side of town with personal affairs.

It seemed this particular segment of Vale was witness to a light rainstorm. Thus leaks of water sifting into the alleyways of the suburbs. It wouldn’t be long before such a phenomenon took over the entire kingdom. The man didn’t mind.

“Warden! You there?” The distorted cries of his subordinates crawled out of his coat, courtesy of the walkie talkie shoved inside.

“I’m here.” Augustus’s voice was shrill but kind.

“We just caught word, a commotion at the western dock’s been stopped. The suspect was apprehended.”

“You found a Delphic!?”

“N-No. It’s Dimitri. We’ve got him.” The nameless, aimless deputy clarified.

“I’ll be there soon.” There was further work to be done. Grimm attacks were growing ever more common in the region of Vale bordering Forever Fall. The warden had little intention of entering the red forest at this time, but scouting the streets nearby was a necessary matter.

There was nothing to be found, the only annoyance remained the rain. Augustus could see the gate leading into Forever Fall was sealed off by a lone Huntsmen. Whatever Grimm he’d slain were long gone.

“Has anything changed?” He floated over to the guardian, his hands in his coat pockets.

“Ah, Augustus. I’ve found nothing. The Grimm numbers haven’t rose, but they haven’t gone down, either. The recent spike hasn’t swayed, suggesting foul play.” Stam filled him in, cracking his knuckles. “I take it you’ve looked into this? We don’t know who, or what is causing this yet, right? If we did, we wouldn’t be here now.”

“I can’t say for sure, but we have an idea.” Augustus fixed his glasses. “I’d stay here with you. We could even go inside, but I’m needed at the prison. When it comes to sources, Dimitri knows almost everything a man could know about Remnant’s secrets. Least, that’s what I’ve been told.”

“As civilians bed down, their thoughts recede, and the negativity subsides. I’ll probably leave here myself in a matter of minutes. Let’s just hope this is the worst of it.”

“If you ever need help, ring me.” Augustus wallowed away, his jacket struggling to unfurl under the weight of the water. If he was right about his hunches, there weren’t any reasons to believe the Grimm would leave. No point in telling Stam that, though.

Augustus was recognizable as the Warden of the very facility named after him, but not to the ignorant eyes of the general public. Thus his habit to travel through the night was emboldened by the lack of citizens. A shortcut between two buildings would prove beneficial, however. It was this route that led him right to someone in need.

“Hello? Are you there?” He swiveled around at the sound of crying. Staring him in the shades was a young girl, wearing mystical robes and sporting a visual condition Augustus had never seen. Light radiated off of her digital physique. He couldn’t be blamed for assuming the ghost to be a projection, some result of Atlesian technology. “A hologram?”

“W-Who are you?” The girl stuttered.

“I’m the Warden of Augustus Correctional.” He glided over to her and crouched down.

“W-What’s that?” A permanent stream of tears locked itself onto her face, almost stuck in a stasis.

“It’s where we keep the bad guys, here in Vale. What’s your name?” He tried smiling to comfort her.

“I-It’s Ella. This is Vale?”

“That’s right. Are you lost?” Augustus proceeded to state his name. She nodded. One would assume her to be afraid of somebody as frankly terrifying as him, but she herself was a real specimen. It’s as if they were waging a competition for the bigger outcast. “You’re blue. I can’t say I’ve seen a specimen such as you… But I’m interested to see if the Administrator has. Let’s get you back with your family.”

“F-Family?” Ella paused, then followed against her judgment, realizing he was her only hope for relief.

“Yeah, family. You got one, right?”

“I... I-I can’t remember.” Her tear streaks grew more prominent. His expression changed to one of sadness as well. “We’re going to get you home.”

“Home…” She struggled to keep up with his pace. It was then that the blade strapped to his back unclipped. It had a mechanical constitution with electrical components visible, and a bronze coil for a handle. And in falling to the floor, its impact was masked by the hailstorm. “O-Oh! You dropped this!” Ella scrambled to pick up the scimitar by the handle.

Augustus turned and watched her attempt to lift the conductive cutter. Touching it sent sparks everywhere, somehow a result of her automated skin. Ella gasped and dropped it.

“I’ve got it. Let’s go.” An arcane movement of his hand, and the sword was enveloped in the same black smoke that seeped from his trench coat. The weapon returned to his back, divulging his capacity for levitation.

“H-How did you do that?” Ella was referring to his unnatural ability to control the sword in particular, not to mention his lower’s body’s transition into a hellish vapor.

“Simply the work of my semblance.” He told her. Their trip back to the prison was about as uneventful as one would expect. Not to worry though. Everything escalated to a simmer once their goal appeared at hand.

The treatment center’s title was imprinted on a metal archway. Ella read it out and shivered. They were on the very borders between Vale and the ocean, a colossal path stretching over the limitless waters towards the complex. Every gate on the opposite end was opened for Augustus without question. Ella gulped. They were miles above the reefs. A set of monumental pillars lingered as the only reason they could rest at ground level rather than plunge into the depths.

“Warden.” An associate greeted the leader upon his entry. “You’re here. We got Dimitri, just like you ordered.”

“He’s of no use to me dead.” Augustus’s face dropped.

“Don’t worry, he’s very alive.” The minion tensed. “Idiot wouldn’t shut up the entire time I was with him. He’s locked in the Crypt, with every available man we’ve got watching the door.”

“Don’t be silly. He’s not leaving the Crypt. You can call them off. There’s plenty more our force could do than stare at a wall. I’m on my way there anyway.” Augustus reprimanded the lackey. Before leaving the lobby with his new accomplice, a visitor caught his eye. “And who might you be?”

“Oh! My name’s Nadia.” She stood up from a row of seats. “I helped catch Dimitri.”

“Helped? Had it not been for her, he’d have gotten away before we were anywhere near the scene!” The same chief cut in.

“Really? You must be a Huntress, then.” Augustus nodded in earnest.

“Only in training. I-It was nothing.” Her face reddened until she spotted the blue latecomer, being the first one to notice a pair of bony horns poke from the specter‘s hair. Her hood was pulled down. “Who’s this?”

“I found Ella on my travels. She remembers not where she came from nor how she got here.”

“Oh… That’s unfortunate. Maybe I could help out.” Nadia suggested.

“I don’t see what you could do right now, plus you’ve been plenty of help already. I couldn’t-“

“No, it’s fine! Anything!” Nadia wouldn’t take no for an answer. This departure from her reserved, contemplated attitude was complacent when it came to Ella, interestingly enough.

“Well, perhaps you can take her to the rehab site.” Augustus gestured for Ella to join Nadia. “It’s in the East Wing- Sector Two-One-Four. You’ll find it. I’d help you, but I have my own matters to attend. I’ll notify my staff you’re on your way. Do this favor, and you can leave by my command- nobody will stop you.” He was already sailing away. Nadia shrugged at her partner. With a few directions and perseverance, it wasn’t long before the aforementioned East Wing was reached.

“W-Why help me? You don’t even know me.” Ella looked away.

“Maybe I’m just fond of you.” Nadia showed off her signature grin, prompting a very meek Ella to try the same.

“Thanks. Where do you come from?”

“Beacon Academy.”

“Beacon? W-What’s that?”

“It’s a combat school where my friends and I stay. You should come sometime now that you’re one of them.” Nadia guided her further in, looking for any indication they’d entered the right place.

“F-Friend? I’ve never had a friend...”

“Well, Ella, it’s an honor to be your first!” She prepped a successful handshake.

“You must be the ones the Warden warned us about. Nadia and Ella, right?” A patrolman of Sector Two-One-Four correctly identified them. “We can take it from here.”

“Alright then. See you soon!” Nadia let them take her friend away before Ella could voice dissent. Backtracking was a daunting task, but one that was tackled without any real setback. On her way out of the lobby, Nadia was reminded of the enigmatic Augustus. The last she’d seen of him, he was levitating down the chilling penitentiary in search of the Crypt.

The thug waited, one hand holding up his chin and the other tapping the reflective surface, cuffed to a chain strapped to the wall. There were two things in the Crypt: A metal block of a table, and Dimitri himself. The place was roomy and very open, considering a padded cell of this type would generally invoke the opposite feeling. Red stains settled everywhere, the icing on the cake.

Augustus entered the room through several doors secured with either keypads, padlocks, latch sequences, vault cranks, or a combination of all four. Each one was locked behind him. “You must be Dimitri. I hope your schedule’s clear.”

“It is now.” He grumbled. The smugness persisted even in this disadvantageous position.

“A birdie said you knew a lot of about Remnant. Told me you get around a lot. Plenty of sought after fighters. I don’t care about that- I’m only interested in a select few.”

“Eh, if that’s what it takes for a guy to catch a break in this hotel, I’m all ears. Fire away.” Dimitri bobbed his head back and forth.

“Know any Delphics?”

“If you keep making up words, how am I ever going to answer your gibberish questions?” Dimitri checked his watch.

“Delphics are a rare creed. Humanoid in nature, they differ in behavior by having an appearance and instinct mimicking the abilities possessed by Remnant’s most prehistoric enemy, at one point having been spawned from the darkness- the Creatures of Grimm. Understand?... Now that I’ve given you information, it’s your turn.” Augustus leaned forward, ready to savor whatever incoming data his new informant had.

“Why the hell would I know a Delphic? You could be a Delphic for all I know.” Dimitri seemed agitated, but started laughing at the absurdity of the situation.

“I see. Let me check something. Can you hold this for a second?” He held his conductive sword forward.

“Oho! Now that’s one for the postcards! This’d fit in great with my crowbar! Mind telling me where it is?” No response.

Augustus was swiping through his scroll. The cutlass exploded in a frenzy of lightning, sending arcs of the lethal bolts everywhere. Augustus seemed unaffected, the zaps having no impact on him, and his glasses blocking the insipid strobe sensation. One could only imagine how Dimitri felt about it, not only in the center of the blast, but channeling it, unable to let go. Perhaps the pain was dulled by the senseless laughing.

Time froze for Dimitri, but flew for his torturer. “Aghh! Hahahahahahaaa!” The torment at long last came to an end. Even though Dimitri was stunned and temporarily unable to move a muscle in his body, the sword slipped out of his clenched fingers onto the floor’s fabric.

“Not gonna talk? Okay. I love my job.” Augustus recalled his blade and rested it on Dimitri’s shoulder. The crime lord dozed out of his slumber with a howl.

“Hahahaha! That all you got, sparky? No, no, I’ll humor you. Repeat the question!”

“I just wanna know where the Delphics are.” He went back to reading his scroll, acting unreasonably lax.

“If I knew where the Delphics were, I’d tell you buddy! What does a guy like me have to lose from snitching?” Dimitri’s voice suggested he still didn’t have a clue what a Delphic even was despite the poetic explanation, but either way he wasn’t afraid of further punishment. He wasn’t going to roll over.

“…Okay. I’ll undo your chains.”

“Heehee. What’s the catch?”

“It might get in the way, and you need to focus now, because If you want to glimpse the light…” Augustus was a man of a word, hovering over and unlatching the bond from Dimitri’s wrist. “You must brave the darkness!”

His bony finger tapped Dimitri on the shoulder, blasting him with nightmare mist. The electrical agony was one thing, this was another beast entirely. A mixture of purple and red cinders swirled around Dimitri, the charcoal haze encompassing him. Like the previous trick, Dimitri could do nothing but jolt around in place, screaming in hysterics. Thus, even as Augustus unlocked every seal to leave, escape wasn’t an option.

“Hmm hm, hm hmm!” Augustus mumbled his madhouse’s jingle, closing the last door and sealing the shrieks away. The interrogation continued inside, Dimitri’s misery presumably unhindered.

Tonight had been a trial for our heroes with inner turmoil, lost souls, and lawless brawlers. Questions remained the only fruits of their labor. Remnant was willing to throw these enigmas into the mix without a second thought. Concerning answers, however, further research was needed.

Entry No. 3 complete.

This entry may be finished, but the Archive is not.