Running through the busy market, Darka searched for Miko among the many stalls on the street. He found the luziwurm trying to trade a bag of sweets with another luziwurm.

— Miko! We need to go now! — Without waiting to complete the purchase, Darka took their hand and dragged the kid to the alley.

—D-Did something happen?

— Not yet, but it will happen if I don't do anything. Those two brats are here too and this time they want to bring down the entire city.

— Again? Did they know you were coming here?

— It doesn't make any difference now. I'll try to stop them, but I need a plan... — Darka was thoughtful for a few moments. — I know! Miko, I want the city's flood alarm to sound. Nobody ignores this thing, so if at least people leave the city, it will avoid a disaster.

The Marue River begin in a mountain. The melting of snow and rain on the summit ended up causing the river to overflow and floods occurred quite frequently, so the city had to install an alarm system for evacuation as a last resort. The day was very cloudy, so sounding the alarm was the best chance they had.

— Just go to the end of the main street and turn right and you will see the building with the sirens. Try to sneak in unnoticed and set off the signal, okay? In the meantime I'll try to look for them in the galleries. Did you understand everything?

— Yes, sir! — Miko struck a salute pose, with some animation. — Thank you for letting me help this time!

Darka smiled and hugged Miko. He was happy to have someone on his side in all this, and the idea of ​​losing a precious person like that made him even more determined to avoid a catastrophe. He got up and went back to the market, while Miko ran in the opposite direction towards Caadis' sirens.

The entrances to the galleries were hatches that were located at strategic points in the city and Darka vaguely remembered some of them, due to the mission where he had to sabotage a clandestine toxic dye factory many kilometers up the river. The incident about "turning the Marue River into blood" came from there, as on the day of the mission the factory was making red dye.

As soon as he found one of the entrances near the bridge that led to the main street, Darka heard the alarm ringing throughout the city. Its effect was immediate, people began to flee and merchants gathered what they could, running in real chaos.

— Nice, Miko really did it! But I still need to open this damn thing...

He was trying to open the heavy, rusty metal hatch when a shiver ran down the back of his neck. A familiar sensation that made him turn around knowing that someone was heading towards him. But this time it was different, there was an almost palpable hostility in the air.

— Damn you...

Katarina walked across the bridge, contrary to the fleeing crowd. Her eyes glowed like embers and glared at Darka with an insane hate.

— Is... is that Katarina?

— I knew that if I waited and followed you, you would show me where I needed to go. This time I won't make a mistake. I'm not leaving without your heart in my hands, Unpronounceable!

— Katarina, look, we already know that this won't lead to anything, right? — Darka tried to get away from her. — None of us want to cause harm here, this city isn't exactly stable... If we're not careful, everything will go down the river!

— And that's your goal, isn't it?! The seal of my ancestor Angelus Aurea blocks the magical current that flows beneath this place! I know your dirty plan is to destroy the blockages to return the flow of magic to the intercession where your despicable mother is buried!!

— Wait! I already said that it wasn't me who...

Darka was interrupted by an attack from the paladin, who crossed the distance between them in the blink of an eye. He barely managed to dodge her vertical sword strike, jumping a few meters away. There was something different about Katarina this time, and he noticed it. A wild fire burned in her soul, but not in a healthy way. It was not the fire of a warrior focused on defeating her enemy; it was more like a thirst for blood that would only be satisfied with an extremely tortuous death. Darka knew that if he wasn't careful and took the fight seriously, he would be killed for real.

— It'll be your way then. — Darka growled.

✰★✰★✰

Running as fast as they could, Miko fled back to the market street. But as soon as they turned the corner they saw Darka and Katarina fighting fiercely, also noticing how different the paladin looked. Her blows, once precise and elegant, were now brutal and ferocious. Their friend also seemed to be more serious and focused, most of the time dodging Katarina's advances. Some people were still running trying to escape both the supposed flood and the fight that was taking place.

— Miss Katarina came here too... This way Darka won't be able to do anything...

Miko was trying to think of how to help, when a figure passing over the rooftops caught their attention. The shape and colors of the clothing were familiar, and they soon recognized it as the girl they saw in the burning courtyard, Dia.

— That person... — They quickly followed the figure. Despite being small, luziwurms were agile, strong and fast, so it wasn't difficult for Miko to climb through the pipes in the walls and reach Dia. As soon as they managed to get close enough, they threw themself towards the girl and pushed her off the roof where they were. Their fall was cushioned by the awnings and cables that crossed the alley where they fell.

— What the hell... — Still lying down, Dia lowered her hood and looked around trying to understand what had hit her. Her mask was lying a few meters away, broken in half. — What do you think you're doing, luziwurm?!

— I'm helping my friend! — Miko stood up, wiping away a trickle of blood that ran from a wound on their forehead. — You are two idiots and I'm not going to let you ruin everything and blame him again!

Dia seemed surprised by the attitude of the small being in front of her, but soon her expression changed to irritation. She stood up and turned her back to Miko, going after her mask, but before she even took a step she felt something hit her head very hard.

— Come back here, I'm not done with you yet! — Miko had thrown a rock at Dia to get her attention.

Turning around slowly, Dia was now furious. Miko noticed how even irritated, the girl had a very pretty face.

— You don't know what you're doing, luziwurm. We're here to help the master bring Lady Yrina back! You should be on our side! Your blood is like ours, from the lands of the West, from Fearaniar!

— I don't know what you're talking about, Miss Dia, but I don't care! That was hundreds of years ago and it means absolutely nothing! I was born here and this is my land, I won't let you destroy it!

Her expression closed even more.

— I don't have any more time to waste with you.

Quick as lightning, Dia advanced towards Miko, attacking with a kick and knocking them to the ground. With her left hand she held their shoulder, while her right hand pulled out a small pocket knife and raised it towards the child.

Miko tried to struggle unsuccessfully, as they saw Dia's expression go from anger to a subtle glimmer of sadness, which disappeared as quickly as it appeared.

— Goodbye, luzi...

Dia was interrupted by a strong kick to the head that knocked her unconscious into a nearby pile of trash.

— Are you ok?

A figure bent down to help Miko, offering his hand. Pink locks framed a delicate face, with golden amber eyes sporting a worried expression. Miko felt like she should know that person, but they had never seen him in their life.

— I-I'm... yes, I'm fine, I appreciate it!

— Come on, let's get out of here. — The boy grabbed Miko's hand and they started running. — The flood could arrive at any moment!

— Wait, my name is Miko! And I don't know why, but I think I should know your name!

The young man though the presentation was a little strange, but responded with a smile.

— You can call me Amara.