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Episode 1: Testing the Waters

Angelsea is perhaps one of the most ambitious projects of early Rillotian history. After the Seal War when Rillotia's growth had become stagnant, an attempt to draw tourists to the country was concocted. Thus, the sea-borne city of Angelsea was formed. Suspended on specially designed metallic, floating platforms, Angelsea is a venerable floating city situated in the middle of the ocean. Its canals and narrow walkways made it one of the most beautiful cities to inhabit and has become the cultural epicentre of Rillotia. To add to the appeal, the Elemental Lord of Water, Sierra Seasinger, lives in Angelsea. The Siren of the Sea or Ocean's Artist openly encourages the flourish economy of Angelsea

Ivan Thare

Mortaelis World Travel: A Guide to Our World

The world swam.

Jacob Reaper felt like he was bobbing constantly up and down in a bed of gelatine. Screams played over and over again in his head accompanied by the terrible symphony of shattering metal and the roar of hungry explosions. Searing pain dashed across body. The memory of deep blades of heated metal burying themselves into his flesh accompanied by the horror of a single, cold paw seizing his own.

A splash of warmth washed over his chest. His legs weakened, his knees shaking as an incredible weight was pushed onto his shoulders. All his strength was not enough to push the weight back and he felt himself falling towards a dark pit.

"Run..." a voice whispered in his hear. "Run Jake... Run..."

Sharp green eyes locked with his own, breaking through the darkness. They burned into his memory, emerald blades that drove through his eyes, clogged his throat and then migrated to his chest where the pumping of his heart pushed them further and further out of his chest.

"Run! Just... Run!"

Some powerful force pulled him away from the pair of eyes. Hard claws bit into his flesh, making his scream in agony. The force was unrelenting and his skin tore. Ragged cuts appeared across his arm, his blood splattering and mingling with the mess that had already splashes across his chest.

Something sprang from his throat.

A word he never thought he'd utter again... at least not in that certain context.

"Dad!"

Blinding light stabbed at his retinas, making him wince. A wince came out of his broad, square muzzle as he brought his meaty arm to shield his sapphire-blue eyes. He turned away from the light, squinting slightly.

"Did you know you talk in your sleep?"

As his eyes adjusted to the light, he quickly took in the hard mattress beneath him and the soft, blood-covered quilt that lay draped over him. Several bandages were wrapped around his chest and shoulders. Metallic surroundings of pipes and gratings littering the floor, walls and ceilings met his gaze. Flanking him were several other beds, mostly abandoned.

The only one that remained occupied was the one to his right.

Sergeant James Canis lay lounging on the bed, one leg draped over the other and his broad, muscular arms crossed behind his head. He was naked save for a single singlet and black pair of briefs. Jacob couldn't help but cock his head to the side at the Alsatian's impressive package.

"Eyes up here, cowboy," Canis said, pointing at his broad muzzle.

Jacob rubbed the back of his head and grunted softly. "What... What the hell happened?"

God... Please don't tell me I had sex with him...

No, no... That can't be it. I'm in different beds.

Then he straightened, quiet alarmed and a little 'stiff'.

Oh hell...

"You didn't... rape me, did you?"

The Sergeant gave him a sadistic smile. "Now would I really tell you if I did?"

Jacob's fur fluffed out slightly and his hackles rose, his fangs bared. "Listen you asshole. If you -"

"You're not my type, Reaper," Canis answered, waving at him absently. "I like my guys with a tough exterior but a soft, creamy centre. You're tough but are just full of air. Like a balloon. One of these days, someone is going to come along and pop" - he made a jabbing motion in the air with his finger - "your little ego trip."

Ha! Shows what you know! I've already been 'popped'!

...

Thank God I didn't say that aloud...

"Whatever," Jacob muttered, shaking his head. He ran a paw through his hair, absently noting that his golden blonde hair was getting a little long and was starting to irritate his large, triangular ears a little. "Where are we? Where are the others?"

Canis sat up, stretching his arms over his head. His singlet rode up his abdomen slightly, showing off his rather impressive set of washboard abs.

Two... four... six... eight...

The Alsatian's blue eyes locked with his. "What are you looking at, Furheart?"

Definitely not counting your pronounced abs.

"Furheart?"

Canis pointed at Jacob's chest where the thick, gold chest-fur formed a heart-shaped crest that trickled down a treasure trail into his crotch which was tastefully hidden by a pair of silky, blue boxer shorts. "Big tough guy like you got a big, furry heart on his chest. Furheart."

Jacob had to lift one of his eyebrows at that. "Furheart. That's the best you can come up with."

"Let's see you do better then," the Alsatian snarled. He puffed out his chest proudly, just challenging Jacob to shatter his defences.

A smirk slowly crept across Jacob's features, his lips pealing back to reveal an almost sinister grin.

Challenge accepted.

"You -"

There was a loud, metallic bang rocked the metallic room, ringing through the walls and even causing Jacob's teeth to jitter a little. Four black clad soldiers bearing threatening rifles charged in. All of them bore the insignia of the Mortalean Organisation for Defence and Diplomacy interposed over a large, stylised anvil.

"Shit!" Jacob immediately seized the pillows behind him and hurled them boldly at the soldiers. Each of the ANVIL soldiers instinctively brought their guns to their faces to guard themselves from the flying, furry cushions, buying Jacob a precious three seconds.

That was enough.

The wolf jumped off his bed, seized the mattress and held it in front of him like a full-bodied riot shield. With a ferocious roar, he slammed his shoulder against the upright mattress and charged, pushing his entire weight against the springy bed. Loud thuds were muffled by the fabric but the crunch of body armour shattering and bones breaking were not.

"Ha!" he exclaimed in triumph.

"Jacob!"

He spun to his right. In the brief second when his vision was a blur of motion, he recalled that the specialised gloves that he wore to summon his preferred weapons were gone. Without Radiance or Requiem, he felt naked and exposed.

"What are you doing!?"

Spying Joanna standing a few short feet away, fully dressed and with an expression of mixed confusion and anger made him feel like someone had torn open his chest and exposed his heart.

"Saving... you...?" he offered meekly.

She stormed over to him, each of her footsteps sounding like a thunderous boom that shook the earth. Her paw can screamed out and struck his left cheek with a resounding smack. The ANVIL soldiers winced behind their faceless, black masks. Jacob liked to think that Canis' balls squeezed up to his crotch from that one action alone. Jacob's surely did.

"Think before you act," she snapped, poking his nose painfully.

"I was thinking!" he protested, fighting the urge to rub his cheek. "I'm bandaged, practically naked, disarmed and ANVIL soldiers come barging in on us guns blazing!"

"Not a shot was fired!" Joanna drove her finger against his chin, forcing him to tilt his head upwards. His ears folded back against his skull and he had to fight hard to keep his tail from slipping between his legs. "And if ANVIL wanted you dead or captured, they wouldn't have bandaged you! They would've put you somewhere far more constraining than a sickbay bed!"

She pulled her finger away with a heavy huff. "Honest to God, Jacob. You're all muscle and no brain."

"Hey!"

"That's right!" Spectre, Jacob's little, four-legged, angelic guardian hopped onto his shoulder, digging his claws into the former's jet-black fur. "He has a brain! Two of them, in fact. Both contained in a furry sack!"

"Shut up, you," Jacob growled.

Joanna spun back towards him, emerald eyes blazing. "What was that?"

Jacob felt like her eyes were the rusty scalpels poised to give him a rather painful, anaesthetic-free vasectomy. "It was Spectre!" he protested, pointing at his shoulder. "I was talking to Spectre!"

Naturally, the ruby-furred fox couldn't see his Animus but she knew he existed. Still, that did not quell her anger. She stormed over to him and seized his left ear in a rather painful pinch.

"Ow! Ow! Ow!" he cried as he was dragged back into the sickbay. She slammed the door behind them, narrowly missing his gold-tipped tail.

Showing surprisingly strength, she shoved his 250 pound weight straight onto an unoccupied bed. "Listen you," she hissed, shoving a finger at him. "We are approaching Angelsea, the cultural and artistic capital of Rillotia. You are not to go through the streets randomly causing explosions and murdering as you see fit, clear?"

Jacob lifted his paws into the air. "Alright! Alright! I won't burn, maim or kill anyone or anything that's considered a priceless piece of art."

"Good," she answered, folding her arms tightly.

Of course I never said anything about stealing...

"Now what would you do with a priceless piece of art?" Spectre asked.

Jacob idly glanced at his crotch.

Maybe exchange them for my masculinity...

Joanna suddenly sat down beside him, immediately causing him to slide away from her. "How are you, anyway?" Her tone had turned surprisingly tender and he cocked one golden eyebrow at her in suspicion.

"Fine..."

Two beds away, James Canis moved and slipped off his mattress. "You have some crazy daddy issues. If you say you're fine, then you're totally batshit insane." The pilot grabbed a bomber jacket from a nearby bedside table and slipped it on.

"Daddy issues?" Joanna repeated.

Canis clasped his paws together and gazed upwards with a goofy, doe-eyed expression. "'Oh dad, please don't leave me!' Then there's the, 'No dad! Don't go!' Oh and my personal favourite, 'Please dad, it hurts! Please stop!'"

A shimmering blade of light was suddenly levelled at his throat yet the extremely buff Alsatian didn't even flinch at the sight of the weapon.

"I do not have daddy issues," Jacob growled, his sapphire-blue eyes blazing like blue fires.

"Explain that to those night terrors of yours," the Alsatian said. He turned around, throwing a casual wave over his shoulder. The sergeant stopped at the door, turning his head back towards the two Branded. "When was the last time you actually slept without having sex before hand?"

Jacob's fur fluffed out his ears folding back and fangs bared. "That's none of your business!"

"Whatever." The sergeant pulled the door open and stepped out of the sickbay. Before door shut, Jacob could hear his voice saying, "Eyes up here boys. If you linger, here's my number."

"Asshole," he growled, turning away from the door. "One of these days, I am seriously going to find some way to make sure he is humiliated beyond belief!" A malicious grin crossed his features. "Better idea: I'll get close to him, make sure I'm his confidant, get all chummy with him and then find some way to humiliate him in front of everyone! Then, when he comes running to me, I'll break his heart and leave him in a ditch!"

Oh god, he's right... I am full of hot air...

Spectre patted his cheek comfortingly. "The first step is admitting you have a problem. Besides, I'm sure Leo or Rex is more than willing to fill you up with something else."

I look forward to the day when I get to pluck your feathers off one by one and shove them into your eye sockets.

Joanna's silence was becoming unnerving and he turned his gaze towards his companion warily. "You've been awfully silent." He grinned at her, humour far from his agenda. "Want to join me in plotting Canis' demise? If you want, I'll hold him down and you can do the honours."

"Honours for what?" she answered. While her expression displayed curiosity, her eyes filled with worry.

"I'm thinking impaling him on something hard and stiff."

"And you think I have the equipment?" she asked, placing her paws on her hips. Her eyes finally matched her expression; a mix of amusement and slight annoyance.

"Hey," he answered with a shrug, "you've got more balls than some guys I know."

Max...

"Not sure if you're coming onto me or I should just take the compliment." She leaned down and patted his head. "Thanks, though."

"And thank you for stopping me from doing something stupid." A cocky smirk crawled onto his features, turning the corners of his lips upwards slightly. "So... How much did you bet?"

Joanna groaned and flopped down onto the bed beside him. "Enough. Never bet against Tayl. He's damn good at knowing the odds. Maybe because he can be a bit neurotic at times."

"That he can." He rubbed the back of his neck lightly. "Though wave a cock in front of his muzzle and all that goes out the window."

"You would know," she laughed, giving him a light elbow to the ribs. The vixen twisted around so that she lay on her side to face him. "So, I bet you're wondering what you're doing on a MODD ship, bandaged and bruised, right?"

"The first two, yes." He sliced the bloody bandages off with his claws. "I'm not bruised anymore. Regeneration, remember."

Joanna helped peel off the bandages that were wrapped around his shoulders and arms. The ones on his legs were a little harder to pull off since they were so thickly applied and the gauze had stuck to his fur. Small patches of pink spin became exposed as his black fur was ripped off but within seconds, it was instantly replaced. "We honestly thought you wouldn't make it."

"You did?" he answered, stifling a gasp as a patch of fur was ripped off his calves. "Was it that bad?"

She peeked over his shoulder, her paws running over his broad shoulders. "Don't you remember? We were shot down." A slight twist of her muzzle hinted at the irony behind her words. "Interestingly by this very ship."

That doesn't bode well...

"And why are we on this ship...?"

"I guess the thing about being on a silent crusade against the ruling government is that people don't know if you're coming or not." Joanna leaned back against the pillows. "Rocky called ahead and told the Elemental Lord of Water we were coming who, in turn, told the RBS Sealight to watch out for us."

He gave her a critical look over his shoulder. "And we were still shot down because...?"

"The message arrived after they shot at us."

Talk about bad timing... We have a geosynchronous satellite-city that serves as the transport hub for all of Mortaelis and people are still suffering from communication errors.

"Peachy," he muttered.

Her paw ran through his hair comfortingly. "Your hair is getting pretty long. Need me too give you a haircuts"

"Are you going to shear my ear off?"

Her bright laugh was response enough and she pulled him off the bed and onto a nearby sink and mirror used for washing bandages and cleaning any equipment to be used for the patients. He brought over a seat and Joanna draped a thin quilt over him, tying it behind his neck. A pair of shears appeared in her paws and she ruffled his hair lightly.

"How short do you want it?" she asked.

"Honestly, I really don't care." He shrugged as he regarded his features in the mirror. His hair was starting to dangle over his eyes and had started to brush his neck slightly. It was a little long. "I trust you."

"So if I make you look like a Valencian pop star...?"

"I tear off your breasts and attach them to your crotch so you'll look like a dickless man-whore."

She laughed once more, strangely making his heart feel quiet warmer. "Fair enough."

The snip-snip-snip of the shears put him on edge. He was slightly uncomfortable with the blades being so dangerously close to his neck but he curbed his own paranoia and focused on his breathing instead, trying to keep his eyes focused on the image that presented itself in the mirror.

"So I'm guessing I got my injuries from when they shot us?"

"Pretty much," she answered, folding his right ear slightly so she could cut around the base. "You took most of the hits. I don't know why, but they seemed obsessed with hitting you instead of the rest of us."

He lifted a finger into the air, tracing a circle in the air a few times. "Must be the billion credit bounty on my head."

"Yeah. Seems like MODD is trying to make sure that all the blame is put on you for anything we've done as a team. Probably don't want to instil panic. Typical MODD." She switched over to his left ear, delicately cutting around the base. "Can you believe they're still keeping things that happened at Pollenburn hushed up? Even Graesham's silence isn't being investigated. At the same time, they're blaming you for random acts of terrorism that's occurring all over the world."

"I guess the Rebellion has started realising MODD isn't so infallible," Jacob said with a shrug. "I mean, two of ExIT's Elemental Lords are basically out of commission. That must be a major boost to the Rebellion's ego."

When no reply came from Joanna, he peered at her reflection in the mirror. Her expression returned to worry.

"Something the matter?"

She gave a soft hum of agreement before she started snipping off strands of hair from the base of his neck. "Jacob... What is your stance on the Rebellion? Did you... want to join them?"

Thinking back about the flashes of a nightmare that plagued his mind, he frowned slightly and shook his head. "I -"

"Gah!" Joanna exclaimed. "Don't do that!"

He glanced over his shoulder just as she pulled her paws - and the shears - away. "What? Why not?"

"Because I'm trying to cut your hair," she answered, seizing the top of his head and forcing him to look straight again. "Keep your head straight."

"Alright. Alright," he muttered. "Sorry. And to answer your question, before any of this happened, I was just trying to survive. I'm not against MODD. I'm against Balthazar. Once he's six feet under or ashes to the wind, I'm done with this war." He lifted an eyebrow. "Why...? Are you thinking of...?"

Again, she let out a soft hum. "You know my stance against MODD, Jacob. You gave me an incredible power. I want to use it to help the people of Rillotia. To help Mortaelis."

Jacob quickly ran through the pros and cons of Joanna's continued vendetta against MODD. Even if she joined the Rebellion and the Branded succeeded in toppling Balthazar, ExIT would be far from extinct. Plus, there was the nearly inexhaustible army of ANVIL and MODD's top soldiers in SWORD. The tiny Rebellion wouldn't be strong enough to truly hold their own against that...

... unless the other Branded joined them...

Then maybe there would be a flicker of hope.

"I'll be sure to attend," he muttered softly.

"Attend what? You'll join?"

"No," he answered gruffly. "Your funeral."

The snip-snip-snip stopped.

Probably not a good idea to have said that to the very vixen who's holding a pair of scissors to my neck...

Then the sound of blades slicing his hair continued. "I guess you've suffered enough. Still, I really think we could make a difference, Jake -"

He froze, physical pain springing from his heart and freezing his entire body. Like ice coursing through his veins, his muscles and bones ached. Tiny icy drills buried into his flesh, sending his fur on edge and his mind reeling back into the past where only one person ever called him 'Jake'.

"Sorry!" Joanna exclaimed, her warm paws sending waves of soothing warmth from his shoulder outwards. "It just slipped."

Jacob reminded himself to breath, fresh air seeping through his lungs. "I'm okay... I'm okay..."

"Close your eyes," she instructed. "I'll cut your fringe."

Part of him screamed, 'No! No! Don't make me! I don't want to go into the darkness!' but he forced himself to close his eyes. Inky black replaced his reflection and he tried to focus on the nothingness.

"Tell me about Angelsea," he said, desperate to avoid any shadows.

"Like I said," came Joanna's voice. "It's the cultural centre of Rillotia. If ever there was a movie premiere, a new collection of art or some celebrity's birthday, it happens in Angelsea. People call it the most beautiful and liveable place in all of Rillotia. It's situated right in the middle of the ocean, built on artificial platforms that keep it afloat and it runs completely on solar, wind and tidal energy. Marine biology research teams flock there and it makes billions every year from trade and tourism."

"I'd imagine a place like that would be some sort of central hub for trade. Though I guess if MODD's newest project gets off the ground, it'll become redundant."

Suddenly, Joanna was silent for a few moments. Then, with increasing venom, she spat out, "The Black Ring Space Station... Did you know they're actually equipping the thing with orbital lasers? They say it's to defend against 'extraterrestrial foreign objects' but you've got to ask why the cannons are pointed towards the planet!"

"Um... In case it passed them by...?"

"And you know it's a military base!" she continued heatedly, each of her snips growing more and more intense. "They'll have a massive space station spanning the width of the planet! If ever there was a threat to their holdings, they can just launch their troops to anywhere! It'll be the end of the Rebellion! They'll never be able to hide or escape!"

"Should I get a different barber?"

"Oh..." All that anger just suddenly seemed to fade. "Sorry..." A few more snips. "All done. You can open your eyes now."

Jacob dared to peek. The wolf that stared back at him was slightly different. His golden-blonde hair was swept upwards and slightly towards the right. It was cut roughly to appear less stylised but it made him look like a ragged madman and more...

... normal.

"You like it?" Joanna asked.

"Huh... Definitely new," he admitted, running his paw through the golden strands. "Where's you learn how to cut hair?"

She shrugged, absently spinning the pair of scissors from one finger. "I had to put myself through college. Worked at a hairdresser's to pay for my fees."

Jacob spun around in the chair, resting his arm on the backrest and regarding her with curiosity on his face. "Really? So you're a down-to-earth working girl?"

"I wouldn't say 'down-to-earth'," she sniggered, deftly sliding the scissors into the pocket of her denim shorts. "I am travelling with a renowned psychopath in an attempt to topple the biggest company in the world, after all."

"Funny. I don't hear you complaining."

She ruffled his hair, spraying loose ends of blonde on his shoulders. She untied the makeshift apron and tossed it aside. "Yeah well when you have to hold down two part-time jobs to put yourself through college and get enough money to survive, you tend to be appreciate every little thing you can get. Weigh the pros and cons as it is." She lifted her paws, mimicking a scale. "Insane mass murderer versus potential to change the fate of all Mortaelis."

"Which side is winning?"

She leaned towards him, grinning from ear to ear. "It's too close to tell."

"Bitch."

"You know it!" Joanna laughed. "Now come on, I've got your clothes waiting outside. Admiral Jenkins is waiting for us on the bridge."

"Who?"

Joanna gave him a sly wink. "You'll see."

*****

Angelsea unfolded in front of them. Pristine, white buildings decorated by crawling, green foliage and a multitude of colours from flowers painted the wall as natural frescos. The frescos themselves were meticulously maintained, each one seemingly painted just the day before. Wide canals of seawater cut through the blocks of white structures. Small, ornately carved wooden boats sailed past the thin walkways hugging the structures.

Only a thin pane of glass separated Jacob from the massive city.

A thin pane of glass, countless blinking consoles and Admiral Alexander Jenkins, Admiral of the MODD ExIT fleet.

The orca's features were smooth and polished but there were distinct bags hanging under his eyes, showing his age. While bald, he had a severe, triangular goatee just beneath his lower lip. The pristine, pressed, white uniform he wore was a stark contrast to the black of his smooth skin and the rest of MODD with favoured the darker side of the spectrum.

"So you are the notorious Jacob Reaper." His gravelly voice spoke of years shouting and yelling at subordinates. "I am Admiral Alexander Jenkins." The orca bowed to him, exposing the gold and blue trident that hung on a strap across his back.

A Seal-user...

Probably one of the Elemental Lord's lieutenants...

Once the orca straightened once more, he nodded to each of the Branded that stood gathered on the bridge. "Welcome, all of you, to Angelsea, home of the Elemental Lord of Water, Sierra Seasinger."

"Is this the part where you shoot us?"

All eyes quickly flicked to Jacob. In fact, even Jacob's eyes switched to a nearby reflective surface, giving his reflection a horrified look. When his brain finally caught up with the rest of his body, he realised he wasn't the one to speak. He turned instead to Max Lionhart... who stood with his own jet-black eyes staring daggers at Jenkins.

"No," the Admiral answered coolly. "In fact, Lady Sierra sends her utmost apologies for the miscommunication. Had we been aware that it was you who were on that battered transport, we would not have fired at all. You are honoured guests."

"Guests at gunpoint?" Max continued, his eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Also noticed that it was the 'Lady Sierra' that apologises and not you."

Wow... He really doesn't like getting shot at.

"You wouldn't either," Spectre observed.

That's not true. I love getting shot at. Gives me reason for needlessly brutal, humiliating, justified vengeance.

The Admiral ignored the comment and turned instead to Jacob. "Our transport is being prepared. I will take you to Lady Sierra's Oasis as soon as it is ready."

"Oasis?" Jacob repeated.

"Ah. My apologies." The Orca offered a patronising bow. "I forgot that you were raised with minimal education." As he rose, there was a victorious glint in his eyes even as his smile was seemingly benign. "The Lady Sierra's home is known as the Oasis. It is the water purification facility located at the centre of the city. Providing fresh water in the otherwise harsh and unforgiving ocean is much like an Oasis, wouldn't you agree?"

Okay... Time for needlessly brutal, humiliating, justified vengeance...

"Whoa there, Jake," Spectre warned, hovering in front of his muzzle. "Take note of the fact you're in the middle of a MODD ship's bridge, heavily guarded and he's a Seal-user."

I am. I'll still win.

"Look. We've got the advantage here. They wronged us_. So he probably just too proud to admit that. He's trying to bait you. I bet the instant you attack, he'll let you, he'll get up and say 'we're even'._

Not if he doesn't get up.

"Jake..."

Stifling a growl, Jacob sent a begrudging 'fine' towards Spectre.

"Fascinating," he answered verbally.

Once again, all eyes were flicked towards him. The Branded seemed rather surprised he hadn't come back with some witty reply. As much as Jacob wanted to humiliate the Admiral, he was well aware of the gun muzzles that were just one move from impeding his body with hot lead. Advantage or not, he didn't want to risk it.

"Say..." he began, glancing around the bridge. "We had three others with us."

Taylor Yates snapped his fingers. "That's right! Where are Will, Myron and Sergeant Canis?"

The Admirals eyes sparked with a bit of agitation. "Both the chief engineer and his assistant are heading towards Edge where the Elemental Lord of Star has promised to equip them with a safe working area for their future endeavours in supporting your cause."

Jacob didn't miss the use of 'your' in the last sentence.

He also didn't miss that Rex was missing.

"Where's my -" He quickly cut himself all, remembering what a tenuous stand Rex's reputation stood on. "Where is the Elemental lord of Star?"

Further agitation crept into the Admiral's eyes. "He has already made his way to the Oasis. He bid that you follow him as soon as possible."

Jacob spun on his heel, the white, floor-length coat that hung around his shoulders billowing around behind him. The black markings that mirrored his Brand waved with the silky, smooth cloth. "Thanks but no thanks. I'll make my own way there."

A paw seized his wrist.

"Jacob," Joanna whispered. "Angelsea may look like it's some artsy haven but trust me, it's heavily armed. Heavily armed." She squeezed his wrist tighter.

He cast a glance over his shoulder, out of the bridge's windows. A gentle slope was visible in the general construction of Angelsea. All the buildings just seemed to grow taller the closer it drew towards the central palace which must have been the Oasis. The buildings themselves all looked fairly sturdy and the vision of sea-based suburbia but a closer inspection on each of the rooves showed some odd shapes that looked strangely like bunkers. Between each of the windows were smaller, vertical slits that appeared strangely like murder holes. Several groups of ANVIL soldiers marched amongst the citizens and were greeted with familiarity.

"On second thought," he announced, turning around and facing the Admiral with a broad grin. "I'm still a little sore from when those shells you fired my way." He stretched for emphasis, showing off his broad, muscular chest. Part of him watched to show off his six-pack just to stroke his ego after seeing James' impressive abdominals but the black shirt he wore was tightly tucked into his black denim pants and strapped to his chest by hard, crossing leather bands. "I wouldn't mind a guided tour. And you better hurry with the preparations, Lexy," he added with a mocking tone, "I don't think you want to piss off two Elemental Lords."

Jenkins didn't look too pleased with that. Something in those black eyes made Jacob think the Admiral had a platoon secretly hidden somewhere poised to shoot them again. Probably hoping to blame it on a group that 'didn't get the memo.

"I believe the transport is ready now," he answered stiffly. "If you will follow me."

The orca led the way off the bridge and through the cramped hallways of the ship. The Branded tailed him until they came to the docking bay found at the side of the ship. A small transport vessel was waiting for them. The arrow-shaped vessel was built to ensure fast travel through sea without being hindered by the unruly waters.

Crisp, salty sea air wafted in from the ocean, frothy waves splashing against the side of the small dock. The sun was out, shining brightly through the opening. Rainbows glistened as the waves crashed, spraying the dock with drizzles of salty water.

Jacob took a breath of the fresh air. It reminded him of a place long ago. A place deep in his memory. He knew it was tied to his parents but he wasn't sure if it was important or not. The romantic in him imagined it as some sort of beautiful beach house on a cliff overlooking the ocean, facing west just as the sun set. Knowing his father's history and the fact that his mother had an affair with another man to produce Rex, he wasn't too sure about that image.

Thick, warm paws wrapped around his waist and a familiar muzzle nuzzled his neck. He instinctively bent away from the muzzle even as Leonardo Custer licked his neck. The enormous Tribal wolf whimpered softly and squeezed tighter, his enormous, veined muscles bulging. Jacob had to resist one particular muscle from filling with blood and popping its own veins.

"Are you in pain, Jacob?" Leo asked in his adorable, innocent whimper.

Suddenly conscious of the countless eyes levelled at them, he pushed Leo away gently and said, "I'm fine, thanks." He peeled away from Leo's embrace and immediately boarded the ship. Naturally, his mate sat down beside him on the open-air vessel with Joanna to his right. Taylor, Max and Kerry Rawson all sat in the seat in front. Admiral Jenkins took the helm along with a few other ANVIL guards.

As the boat started and they peeled away from the ship, Jacob detected Leo's worry and hurt. The Tribal wasn't very subtle as he whimpered a little loudly and fidgeted with the straps of his brown leather vest.

Jacob quickly seized his paw, squeezing it tightly. "Look," he whispered softly. "We've got to show subtly, Leo. The Admiral looks like a really strict guy and we're already hated as it is. Not need to go adding 'gay' to the list of things they can hold against our name."

"Are you kidding?" Joanna exclaimed loudly, causing the three other Branded to turn in surprise. She threw her head back, copper red hair whipping in the wind. "Jacob, this is Angelsea we're talking about. It's the birthplace of art and experimentation! You can't even rent a place here unless you're at least bisexual."

He pulled away from her, eyebrows knotted together. "Seriously?"

"No!" she answered with a roll of her eyes. "Well, at least not legally. But in all seriousness, you don't have to worry about showing your sexuality in a place like this. Angelsea is all about free expression and freedom!"

Taylor broke into a broad grin, the athletic cougar's frame twisting around to face them. "I heard the reason the waters around Angelsea has such a high concentration of salt is because -"

Max growled, ending his statement.

"It's a beautiful city," Kerry commented, turning her gaze towards the white structures as they streamed through the canals. The light was broken by the arches that connected the walkways. Someone was singing a beautiful aria nearby and to accompany them were several instruments that hung in the background.

They passed as a large, circular plaza connected to the other streets by multiple bridges. There, artists were using chalk to illustrate their creativity on the tiles. Painters peeked constantly around their easels at the families who stood with faces stiff from smiling. Performers juggled balls and rings into the air while balancing precariously on colourful, rubber balls.

"Wow!" Leo exclaimed, suddenly letting go of Jacob's hand and scrambling over both him and Joanna, his tail wagging excitedly over Jacob's nose. The side effect of that was that his thick, bubble butt was poised where Jacob could bite into its juicy, succulent -

"Why are those people dressed in black and white?" the Tribal asked, eagerly pointing at several mimes. "And why are they moving like that? Are they trapped in invisible boxes? Should we help them?"

"Yes," Jacob answered shakily as his cock stirred in its sheath. "Let's put them out of their misery."

"No!" Joanna exclaimed, pushing Leo back down to his seat. "Those are mimes, Leo," she said patiently. "They're performers who try to make you imagine things with gestures and no words."

The Tribal cocked his head to the side, confusion clearly on his face. "Is that not hard?"

"Oh it's hard alright," Jacob half-whimpered, half-growled.

Thankfully, they passed the plaza, streaming down the canals and passing several gondolas on their way. Trying to focus and numb down his erection, Jacob focused on the other boats. True to Joanna's word, he was surprised to find more than ten same-sex couples sharing a romantic moment with one another. One gondola even had nothing but a writhing sheet.

One guess as to what's rocking that boat...

"Hey!" Taylor asked. "What's that?"

He pointed directly straight upwards.

A large, metallic arch of some sort curled above them, vanishing behind the buildings far in the distance. Three other arches crossed directly above the Oasis, forming a sort of skeletal cage around them. However, only one of the arches were complete. The others had pieces missing and others appeared to have at least their scaffolding in place.

"That is the Seagate," Jenkins answered. "It will be the crowning glory of Angelsea."

Jacob lifted one eyebrow. "You're going to make the city look like an enormous boob from space?"

The orca shot him a venomous look. "No. It's a large defence grid. Living in the middle of the ocean has its risks. The waves and tides are unpredictable and the weather can turn on us instantly. We've had hurricanes that we've been unable to do anything against and waves that have caused substantial property damage.

"The Seagate is designed to be an enormous spherical defence grid that will guard the city from damage should the worst occur."

Jacob leaned towards Joanna. "Ten bucks says that whatever is bugging this place has to do with that thing."

She pushed him away with a roll of her eyes. "Don't, Jacob. There are no problems in Angelsea. Lady Sierra is on our side."

"So what? We're just stopping over then?" he asked. "She heard of our reputation from Rocky or Marcus and decided that instead of being the next poor sod we murder, she'll bend over and let us have our way with her?"

"What!? No!"

"Come on, Jo. Every place we've visited always has a catch. Pollenburn was the fact that the ashes were made of dead people. Graesham had a crazy priest manipulating one of his subordinates to turn people into stone to resurrect his daughter. This place has something."

"It has nothing."

"Except the Curse."

Everyone spun towards Kerry. The doe wearing the icy-blue poncho bowed her head, her brown fur gently flecked with water. Whether it was tears or not was hard to tell.

"Curse?" Max repeated. "Oh fuck... What? We're all going to be trapped here now? This place is haunted, isn't it?"

If it was possible, the bronze dragon's scales could have paled.

"No, no," Kerry answered nervously. "It's nothing to do with us. It's... the Elemental Lord of Water."

Jacob elbowed Joanna lightly. "Told you."

"Quiet," Joanna snapped back. Her attention turned back to Kerry. "Ker, you're kidding right? That's just superstition. The Curse isn't real."

The doe regarded her sharply. "Take it from someone who has studied the occult, there is a Curse in Angelsea."

"Will someone please tell me what this 'curse' is!?" Max demanded, throwing his hands into the air. "I don't want to die here! My scales get salt in them from the ocean!"

Way to prioritise, Max.

Joanna sat back, crossed her arms and rolled her eyes. "It's stupid. Over all the Elemental Lords, the Seal of Eternity's Ocean is the one that has passed the most paws." She shook her head in dismay. "Every Elemental Lord of Water has always met an untimely end. To date, there have been over three hundred Water Lords. The last Elemental Lord died at the young age of 43 from a freak accident while inspecting the Triton lab underneath the city."

"Secret laboratory underneath the city?" Jacob asked, lifting a finger. "Oh yeah. That's not a recipe for trouble."

His left cheek stung again, her paw flicking back for another strike. "Shut it, Reaper. And it's not a secret lab. It's a research facility for marine biologists. What better place to study marine life than amongst them?"

"And what happened to the last Elemental Lord? Did she drown?"

...

Jacob's face broke into a big grin. "Oh my god... The Elemental Lord of Water died from drowning! Ha! I can just see the epitaph now: 'MODD Asshole, the Elemental Lord of Water. Died from too much water'."

"That MODD Asshole was Lady Sierra's mother."

...

Spectre dropped to the floor of the boat, rolling over laughing.

"Ha! Jacob Reaper. General asshole. Died from too much humiliation. Or is it irony?"

He made to kick the little winged wolf but Spectre deftly flew away, landing back on his shoulder while continuing to snicker.

Regaining his composure, Jacob said, "So what? Did Sierra just give up because the Curse is finally catching up with her? Is that why she thought it's better to just ally with us instead of resist us?"

"The Lady Sierra did not surrender," Jenkins answered. His voice grew sullen. "She and her lieutenant both agreed that this was for the best. She knew Balthazar Palmers before he went completely mad nearly twenty years ago."

Everyone on the boat was suddenly very stiff and their focus was directed straight at Jenkins. The orca's back was rigid, straight and, as he steered the small transport, he barely even moved his arms.

"She knew Balthazar...?" Jacob asked.

"Wait," Taylor protested, leaning forward in his seat. "Balthazar is about 40 years of age." He began counting something with his fingers, whispering to himself. "If I remember correctly... the Lady Sierra was coroneted when she was sixteen. If she knew Balthazar from twenty years ago... then that would make her..."

"Thirty six," Jacob replied dully. "So? What's wrong with that?"

Each of the Branded save for Jacob and Leo suddenly looked pale.

"I withdraw my statement about there not being a Curse," Joanna said, lifting her paw.

"What!?" Jacob exclaimed. "What am I missing here?"

"Just... Shut up and don't say anything, okay? We're almost there."

The enormous Oasis loomed ahead of them. Countless waterfalls poured into pools of water from the tiered edifice. Appearing like a pristine, white cake complete with archways, connecting bridges and an epic statue at its top, the Oasis looked like a vibrant, colourful and pure source of water. Intricate murals and statues decorated the many tiers while hanging plants formed emerald curtains around the structure.

An enormous waterfall guarded by two titanic soldiers lay at the end of the canal. One soldier, a lion, held a massive mace which crossed the blade of the hawk's staff.

"Who are they?" Leo asked.

"Aldern Goldmane and Whitefeather," Jacob answered. "Two of the soldiers who sacrificed themselves to end the Seal War. They, along with fifteen others used their power to create the fifteen doors that stand at the centre of the Graveyard of Doors." His eyes turned left and then right. "Am I to assume that there are about seven major canals springing out of the Oasis, each of them with two of the Circle?"

Jenkins gave a firm nod but didn't say much more.

Jacob felt someone tugging his sleeve. "The last one is the one on the top of the palace, Leo."

The tribal nodded, letting a soft, 'oh' of understanding.

As they approached the canal, the pouring water slowed. Like a curtain of streaming water, the veil pulled apart, revealing a well-lit dock beyond. Small droplets of water splattered on Jacob's coat, each one sliding off easily against the specially manufactured cloth. The flow of water calmed as the boat slowed towards the dock.

White walls greeted them, each one lit by bright lamps and decorated with murals from various artists. Different types of art lay side by side, strangely melding together in a ceaseless flow of culture and colour. Sculptures both abstract and realistic stood on pedestals on the water, guarding their approach towards the stone dock.

There, waiting for them, was Rex.

Jacob felt his heart leapt to his threat at the sight of his half-brother. Though he was unwilling to admit it, he had been worried when he hadn't seen his brother on the Sealight.

"Awww, you big softie."

Quiet you overgrown, animatronic plushie.

Beside Rex stood a hunched over squirrel who looked to have been ancient when time began. Her fur was completely grey with a slightly different shade on the underside of her jaw. The brown eyes she bore were glassy and watery, barely clear through the thin glasses she wore. Her posture was almost at a complete right angle and the thick, fluffy tail that surprisingly remained perked behind her looked like it was weighing her down.

When boat docked, Jacob waited patiently until the others had disembarked.

"Leo! No!"

Leo, in his natural greeting, bounded over to the squirrel and... sniffed her crotch.

"You smell like the beach!" the Tribal exclaimed brightly.

Well... If ever we needed an icebreaker...

Jacob emerged from the boat and made his way towards the rest of the Branded. The squirrel, with one paw on an ornately decorated cane, smile and petted Leo affectionately. The Tribal let out a soft purr and wagged his tail.

That same tail was seized by Joanna and the big Tribal was dragged back to the line of Branded, waving goodbye to the squirrel. She waved back.

"Welcome," the shrunken woman greeted once Leo was back in line. "Welcome to Angelsea. Welcome to my home."

The cogs in Jacob's head instantly sprang together.

"Holy crap!" Spectre cried. "If that's thirty-six, I'd hate to see what she'll look like when she's fifty!"

You won't have to. She'll be dust.

Jacob bit his tongue and gave the woman a slight nod. "Thanks. And you must be Sierra Seasinger, Elemental Lord of Water."

The sweet, old lady nodded, trying to straighten. The usual, black MODD uniform she wore was quite loose around her figure. She barely rose up to Rex's diaphragm who looked like a titan next to her. His fit, muscular physique never looked sexier and Jacob found himself quietly longing to drag both his mate and his brother into bed.

"Why are you so eager for sex?"

Jacob didn't want to admit it was because Canis had triggered something in him. An innate curiosity mixed with fear. He chose instead not to answer Spectre's question.

"Won't you all join me for some tea?" Sierra asked, gesturing with her free hand behind them. "We have much to discuss."

"Lead on," Jacob responded.

The Elemental Lord of Water was surprisingly spry despite her apparent age. She moved with quick, graceful steps. The cane she held seemed more for aesthetics than practicality. Her weight was perfectly balanced on her two feet. Even as they mounted the stairwell leading upwards from the docks, she needed no help and stayed well ahead of the band.

In hushed tones, the other Branded began to whisper to one another, Leo excluded. The murmurings of a Curse and age were amongst them. Jacob accelerated his pace until he came to stand beside Rex, choosing to embrace some semblance of silence.

"Glad you made it out okay," Rex said. His paw slipped around his, squeezing it tightly before letting go. "Would've been a real tragedy if you had died in that."

"A few explosives won't kill me," he answered proudly. "Besides, if you were so worried, why weren't you there when I got up?"

Rex blushed lightly under his brown fur. "I had to make sure no one else decided to shoot us down. Seriously, Angelsea may look pretty but it's a fort. If the Sealight came into the docks and news got out you were onboard, the whole place would've gone full-guns blazing and we wouldn't be the only ones that would have to swim for the shore."

A valid point...

"Were you hurt?"

Crap! Don't show affection! That's weakness.

"Not as much as you. I only got a mild concussion. Went straight into my Seal Armour when the fire started."

Why don't I remember any of this...?

"Good," he answered gruffly.

The stairwell ended in large, board hallway. On one side were the arches of hanging plants and flowers with the bands of golden sunlight streaming between the leaves. On the other was hard wall painted over with soft images of the past and mythology. The floor itself was made of a multitude of tiles arranged beautifully into images.

"God... It's like this whole city is an art museum."

"That was the intention." Sierra waved her paw towards the vista of Angelsea, tickled gold by the high noon sun. "Angelsea was meant to be the 'Jewel of the Sea'. A shining gem found at the very centre of an otherwise harsh and unforgiving ocean. It was meant to be the technological marvel of the century."

"And then...?" Jacob asked lazily.

"Nothing," the Elemental Lord answered with a faint chuckle. "We hit that mark and kept it. Angelsea is a hub for sea-based trade to Rillotia. It's an amazing place to live and nurtures artist and academics alike." She stopped and turned towards the two. "And it is still growing. Each year, we add new plates to the outer rim of Angelsea, expanding its borders. Centuries from now, this whole city will be its own island. Millennia afterwards, it will be its own continent." She sighed, gazing out into the vast, blue ocean. "What I wouldn't give to see such beauty..."

Jacob bit his tongue, choosing not to mention anything about the so called 'Curse'.

Sierra led them to a large balcony-like construction jutting out from the side of the Oasis. A garden had been planted and constructed on the large platform. Crawling roses curled around stone barricades. Marble pillars arrayed around the garden in a semicircular fashion, potted plants hanging from them. Emerald green grass wrapped their bases to make the perfect setting where the white gazebo could rise. A pristine set of white, steel furniture sat in the shaded area, a porcelain tea set ready for use.

"Come, sit," Sierra urged, lowering herself onto one of the velvety cushions of the seats. "We have tea, crumpets and some Angel Bread."

"Angel Bread?" Jacob asked sceptically. A plate filled with slices of white bread speckled with tiny, candy balls was pushed in his direction.

"Taste," she insisted. "It is the specialty of Angelsea."

At the prospect of food, Jacob's stomach gave a hearty growl. He gently picked up one of the triangular slices and bit into it. His tongue instantly danced as the tiny sugary balls exploded like fireworks.

"Holy hell!" he cried, spitting the slice straight back out. "What's in this stuff!? Gunpowder!?"

Sierra Seasinger laughed, her voice surprisingly bright and cheery. Nervous laughter from Rex and the other Branded accompanied hers. "No, no, my dear. It's simply a special variety of candy. They are compacted sugar that are designed to burst on your tongue to give that delicate tinge of sweetness. You're meant to nibble on it. Not take a large bite."

Jacob set the slice of bread on the offered plate. "If it's all the same with you, I'd rather not have sugary bombs exploding on my tongue." He turned towards Jenkins, offering his half-eaten Angel Bread. "One some?"

The orca gave him a foul look but politely declined.

Tea was poured each of them took a cup. Jacob left his alone, regarding the Elemental Lord of Water with a mix of suspicion and curiosity. He played scenarios where she had poisoned the tea or one of the Angel Bread slices had a ticking bomb planted inside of them. Despite his stomach rumbling for food, he ignored it and remained wary.

Idle chatter began, ranging from the beauty of Angelsea to Sierra's plans for the Seagate.

Eventually, one topic remained.

"Why have you decided to turn against MODD?" Taylor asked.

Sierra set her cup delicately on the table, folding her paws on her lap with her brown eyes gazing at the floor. "I am not turning against MODD. I am turning against Balthazar."

"Then what has he does to piss you off?" Max asked gruffly. "I thought all the Elemental Lords were undyingly loyal to that prick."

Couldn't have said it better myself...

Jacob narrowed his eyes at Sierra.

So why are you helping us, Sierra?

"The Elemental Lords are bound to Bal by contract," she answered. "Not by heart. Although... once before, that would have held true for me." She placed a paw against her chest. "I will not deny it. At one point or another, Balthazar Palmers and I... were attracted to one another."

Great! Let's hold her hostage!

"What!?" Spectre screamed.

It's simple! Balthazar will have to rescue her, right? So, either he rescues her for real and he confesses his love for her then we kill him in the most brutal method imaginable thus giving Sierra a heart attack and killing her too or...

"I'm almost afraid to ask..."

Or we hold her captive, Balthazar couldn't care less, we let this old lady be our meat shield and we take down Balthazar. If she dies in the process, woot!

"Why are you so obsessed with getting this little old lady killed? She seems nice."

Spectre, you should know by now, never trust little old ladies. Especially ones who have the power of a magical symbol crafted from someone else's sacrifice.

...

"Point taken. Though as an aside... what 'brutal method' were you thinking about...?"

Jacob couldn't help but grin a little.

I was thinking I'd rip out his heart and give it to her so she could hold it in her paws as he died in front of her.

An elbow jabbed into his ribs.

"Stop grinning," Rex hissed. "This is sadness time not 'evil plotting time'."

He gave his brother a look of surprise. "How do you know I was plotting something evil?"

Rex pointed at his face. "You had your 'I'm-going-to-do-acts-of-unspeakable-evil' smile on your face."

"I have a smile like that?"

"Yes. It goes with your 'Shit-I'm-horny' grin, your 'You-are-so-dead' scowl and your 'Fuck-I-can't-hold-on' grimace."

Jacob felt an intense heat burning his cheeks and hoped to high heaven no one else heard what Rex had just said. Though from the constant wagging of Leo's tail, that was not the case.

"Balthazar was a young executive at ExIT at that time," Sierra continued, unhindered and showing no signs of having heard Jacob and Rex's conversation. "He had plans to 'change the world' as he put it. However, as time went on, he grew increasingly... obsessed with other matters." She turned her gaze towards the city of Angelsea. "The corporate world is a cutthroat world where you must be underhanded and sneaky to get what you want even if it is for the good of all people.

"When my mother died, Balthazar had just finished convincing the rest of MODD that the Triton Research Facility was worth the expense. After all, an Elemental Lord had just died in its walls. MODD was convinced it was a death trap and should be abandoned. Knowing how much I hoped to see the beauty of the ocean up close, he pushed to have it completed."

Sierra took a sip of her tea, eyes still in the distance. "It was only until after it was completed did I learn Balthazar had to sabotage the projects of others to get the funding and approval necessary for Triton."

"Wow," Jacob said, the blush on his cheek fading slightly. "That's got to be a record. An asshole for twenty years."

Smack!

A crumpet slapped against his forehead, jam and butter sticking to his fur as it slipped down his muzzle.

Joanna gave him an innocent smile. "Sorry. It slipped."

Just to spite her, he gobbled up the crumpet, admiring the buttery texture and sweetness of the jam.

Kerry reached over and placed her paw on Sierra's. "The world is cruel. I know. My father used to be so loving and caring but as time went on, the corporate world took his soul. He became less and less a father and more a businessman in all his dealings."

The Elemental Lord wrapped her fingers around Kerry's and her eyes grew dreamy. "I am sorry, my dear." She let out a soft sigh, placing her spare paw over her chest and letting out a small swoon. "Ah, but back then, I thought it was different between Balthazar and I. He was doing all these things for me and in my own twisted way, I thought that as long as he was selling his soul for me, it was worth it."

Wow, never thought people could sell their soul for so cheap.

Spectre whacked his face a flick of the Animus' tail. "Shut up. People have sold their soul for less."

"But as time wore on," Sierra said, slowly sliding her paws away from Kerry's, "I began to wonder if these acts were more for himself than me. I saw his future. I saw where he was going. And it broke my heart when I realised that his relationship with be had slipped into the realm of inconvenience. He cut off his ties from me 'for my own good' he said but I knew it was because of... this..." She made a gesture at herself.

"The Curse..." Joanna whispered softly. "I didn't think it was true..."

"Most still believe that it isn't," Sierra answered. "I go out rarely to preserve the public's opinion of me. I did not want to ruin the pristine face of Angelsea by being its one black mark. I've been spending most of my time here in the Oasis, never seeing anyone save for those that can be trusted with my secret."

"That you're a thirty-six year old, withered hag?" Jacob asked.

Smack! Smack!

This time it was Joanna and Kerry. Jacob eagerly gobbled up the crumpets.

"You're just doing that to get fed, aren't you?"

Hell yeah! It's already buttered and layered with jam! I don't have to do any work!

"Thirty-seven, actually," Sierra corrected with a smile. "And yes, my body is withering away. Those in my inner circle theorise it is the price of the Seal of Eternity's Ocean but that has been dismissed as none of the other Elemental Lords suffered from premature aging that they were aware of. Some blame my genetics but all matter of tests have been run and there is nothing to indicate that my genes are nothing but healthy. Thus, the blame falls on the Curse. The Curse of the Water Lord."

Rex straightened, pushing his saucer away from him. "You mean the tendency for all the Elemental Lords of Water to die prematurely?"

"Precisely."

"Is there any way we could stop it?"

Sierra shook her head sadly. "Would that there was. Sadly, I fear my time is limited and as such, I aim to ensure that I make an impact on the world. At least as much as I can while I still live."

Jacob licked his lips. "And helping us kill your former fuck-buddy will achieve that?"

This time, he was ready. He caught the two crumpets in the air in his mouth, eagerly chewing on them much to Joanna and Kerry's annoyance.

"Do me next!" Leo exclaimed, furthering their annoyance.

Jacob grinned. Then -

Smack!

He flinched as Rex pulled his paw away, the crumpet he stuck onto the back of Jacob's head sticking to his hair. Casting a foul look at his half-brother, Jacob peeled the crumpet off his newly cut hair and threw it at Leo. His mate caught leapt up, his jaws snapping shut just an inch away from the flying crumpet. The piece of bread went sailing over the edge.

"Amongst them, yes," Sierra answered, a gentle smile on her features. "The other is to see the Seagate finished so that I have my own legacy to add to this beautiful city. A third is to ensure that the orphanage I erected in honour of my mother continues to churn out honourable, strong and just young people just like James Canis."

Huh?

The Elemental Lord turned her gaze to one of the two ANVIL guards standing behind the Branded. "Isn't that right, Jimmy?"

All the Branded spun to face the guard who seemed to sigh. The guard peeled off his helmet and sure enough, there stood the big, buff, blue-eyed Alsatian.

"I could never hide from you," the pilot answered.

Admiral Jenkins looked equally as surprised. "What? But... You should've been sent back to Central for redeployment!"

"Don't flatter yourself, pops," Canis answered, shoving his helmet back into the orca's hands. He moved towards Sierra, knelt and took her paw in his. He pecked her paw gently. "This is my home. I couldn't just leave without at least saying 'hi' to the woman who ensured I had a future."

Sierra laughed and gently tapped the sergeant's shoulder. "Oh my dear, you did it all yourself. I merely provided you with food and a roof over your head. Nothing more. You did the rest yourself. You rose to become an ANVIL soldier, you became a sergeant and you got your dream: to fly."

"I might just have my wings clipped after this stunt," Canis chuckled mildly. "Totally worth it though."

The Elemental Lord laughed and turned her benevolent gaze towards Jenkins. "I'm sure we can arrange something."

The Admiral sighed heavily, giving a faint nod. "Very well... Sergeant, consider yourself on short-term leave pending reassignment."

Canis stood and saluted. "Thank you, sir."

Sierra stood and offered her seat to the sergeant. "Come, sit. Eat. Your friends must have missed you in the short while you were gone."

No one spoke.

Canis groaned faintly. "Yeah, I don't know about that."

"Nonsense," Sierra said, waving the statement away. "As I recall from Rocky's report, they basically owe you their lives! Crashing a transport ship into their foe. That is a feat worth of commendation!" She patted his back lightly. "And your friend should treat you with the respect such an act demands."

It was like watching a proud parent preening and boasting about their son to said son's friends. James looked like his cheeks were about to explode in embarrassment and none of the Branded were making pains to hide their chuckles.

"But you will all have time to catch up later," Sierra announced, clapping her paws together. "Rex has so kindly requested that I let you use my training facilities and my resources to plan for the attack on Balthazar. Additionally, I offer my services to teach you what I have learned through my life."

"Short as it is," Max muttered.

Strangely, he didn't get hit by a crumpet.

"Whoa," Jacob interrupted, holding up his paw. "That's it? You're just going to train us and give us a pat on the back? You're not going to fight with us?"

Sierra laughed softly. "My dear boy, of course I will aid you in the battle itself. But it isn't a matter of where the battle will take place, but when." She tapped her nose, winking at Jacob slyly. Getting a wink from an old lady sent a chill down Jacob's spine. "You see, I have invited Balthazar to a ball I am preparing to be held in two week's time."

Jacob's eyes sparked with excitement.

Angelsea was a venerable fortress.

It was isolated in the middle of the ocean.

Balthazar was coming to them.

"Lady, I think I love you," he exclaimed.

She laughed brightly. "Don't let my age fool you, Jacob Reaper." She placed her paws on her hips and rolled them lewdly. "I've still got some kick in these old bones!"

That did not scare him at all.

Joanna suddenly lifted her paw into the air. "There's something I want to know first, if I may." The Elemental Lord nodded her consent. "You said Balthazar went crazy. What exactly drove him insane?"

There, Sierra's mirth faded and her mood turned sombre. "Research into the Seals. He was looking deeply into Hox and the Graveyard of Doors. Him and his research partner..."

The next two words froze Jacob's heart in mid-beat.

"... Isaac Reaper."