Months had passed.

Gelehrter stared at the water in dismay. The pools of reflection only showed a boy with golden hair and dark eyes, his imagination constructing Stolzer near him whistling a tune. Rena, Ana and Eisener all talked at length of their experience, but any attempt to reach the young page were met with failure. Apathy had taken the boy, his sadness engulfing him like a lover. His pole had danced and the hook was stripped clean. He seemed to only be met with more failure. In his mind, any failure was blamed on his own incompetence: Stolzer's mission, his state, his loss of bait, everything. He even cursed his body for its inexperience.

“Lad, you must listen now.” Eisener spoke, his voice finally destroying the barrier. “Our friend is recovering as best he can. We cannot allow our own feelings to take us. I have lost many in my lifetime, long as it is.”

Ana smiled at him sadly. “I too have lost, but I still keep going.”

“So have I. I've lost my family when I was very young.” Rena chimed in and pulled in another fish.

“B-But...Stolzer is my master!” Gelehrter attempted in vain to choke tears from his eyes. “If I were stronger, I would be able to help him. He is all I have!”

“Ah, but you are hungry. I know it, I can see it in your face!” Eisener laughed heartily, taking the fishing supplies with him. The lake had been engulfed in twilight, the night settling in over the horizon. In the distance the walls now were illuminated by the ominous red lights which watched over them as they ventured from their destination to Eisener's smithy. The walk was filled with laughter and talk of the future.

“You know, I am here to help you, Gelehrter.” Rena beamed at him as they passed through the forge. The air of soot and dust tickled his nostrils and he sneezed. He set the basket, the rods and their bait aside. Rena worked to prepare the fish while Eisener tended to the fire.

Ana and Gelehrter were left to aid in whatever way they could. The page and apprentice both took to their respective masters.

“How can you help me?” Gelehrter's inquisitive gaze was met with scorn.

“I am just as sad as you are, yet you are letting it take you because you are a child!” Rena growled. “I want nothing more than to see him walk through that door whole and hale again, but there is naught we can do but hope!”

She stormed from the kitchen, leaving Gelehrter to stare at the mangled fish. Ana sighed and handed him a knife.

“Help me...follow what I do.” The smith's apprentice worked feverishly to clean and gut the fish, placing the organs and other bits into a bowl. He attempted to mimic her.

After a spell Rena opened the door and Ovelia now strode inside. She took one long gaze at the room and rolled up her sleeves. Another little girl followed her, her pink hair demanding their attention.

“This is Arden, now stop staring and keep working.” The Sanguine Overlord growled. “Arden, honey, please sit in your chair and behave.”

The little girl giggled and played with her doll. She struggled to maintain the cleanliness of her red silk dress. Everyone in the room labored to fix the meal and when it was finished, they all prepared plates for one another.

“What brings the ruler of all Sanctuary to my home at this time of night?” Eisener finally asked, his meal devoured. “You must be very busy.”

“Ah, but I am Stolzer's superior and I am here on business.” Ovelia wiped her mouth with a spare cloth and then proceeded to wipe Arden's with another rag. “Stolzer is awake. He seems more compelled to speak, but wanted to wait until the morning.”

Excitement took hold of everyone but before anyone could place inquiries, she raised a hand.

“He is still struggling with his sense of self. For some time there will be therapy, but he will recover in time. It is still too early to tell you anything else.”

“But...he will be well.” Gelehrter was the first to speak. “He'll be able to fight, won't he?”

“It is still too early to tell.” Ovelia repeated and pointed to his plate. “Eat your food or you won't grow as strong as your master.”

“I don't want to be strong if he can't be strong eit--”

“You will do as commanded, page. I am your Sanguine Overlord and I will have your respect.” The intense glare returned to silence him and he ate.

“Hmm, more progress from your persuasion.” The master smith placed his plate in front of his apprentice and wiped his beard clean. “I will go now to add some finishing touches. Have a good evening, madam.”

“You as well.”

Stolzer found himself locked in a perpetual battle of wits, his body seeming to be lost to him. Any attempt of moving his hands were met with failure.

Another figure stood across the empty chasm. Stolzer and the man, though familiar, appeared to be just another figment of his imagination. He was shackled to the ground and stood now on a gigantic block steel which had been fastened to walls nearby with massive links. The machine whirred to life, millions of trails etched into the metal like ant hills were filled with his blood again and again. Stolzer attempted many times to free the man, though he could never reach him. His body was heavy and he was unable to walk. In vain he tried crawling, though it was no use. Whether it was from fatigue or lack of strength, the more he struggled to reach the man, the greater the challenge.

Finally Stolzer's eyes shot open and instinctively he reached for his sword. The blade failed him as it had been placed out of reach. Rena was sleeping nearby, her head resting on the desk. Gelehrter had fallen asleep in a similar fashion at the foot of his bed.

Light from nearby torch sconces gave some refuge from the evening. He nearly leaped from his skin as a door to his right opened, his Sanguine Overlord striding over to him. Her usual authoritative air was replaced with the gait of someone beaten and worn, the blonde hair released from its bun. She took a stool on her way and sat near his bedside, her gaze fixating onto his.

“Are you well enough to talk? I had tried to reach you earlier, but you were still asleep.” She opened a tome in her hands as she addressed him. The Grand Library's crest—the rising sun among a field of sunflowers—had been sewn into the leather bound book.

“A-Ah...I wasn't expecting company at this time of night.” Stolzer shrugged. “What brings you here?”

“Tell me your dream again.”

“I...I was... I was standing near an abyss. Everything was black...there was a man on the other side. He seemed to be trying to tell me something, but I couldn't hear what it was.” He crossed his arms and fell silent for an instant. “He was standing on a machine of some sort... I can't remember what it looked like.”

“The same dream every night, but you seem to remember more each time.” Ovelia observed, keenly taking mental notes.

“Aye, I am. You ask me the same question each night. What if I'm--”

“You experienced something. I'm trying to find records of it in the Grand Library. Anything that is written down is stored there, no matter what place in the universe it is documented.” She grunted as she opened the ancient book, the pages were worn and otherwise barely legible. “I'm trying to cross reference your dream with something similar...I feel as though I am close.”

“Close enough to--”

“Yes, close enough to taste it. Tell me more about this dream, if you can remember anything else.”

“I... I think this machine had been carved somehow...almost like an anthill. It was chained to each wall, though it was heavy enough to never be moved by anyone. What troubles me is...who is that man?” Stolzer lowered his head and scowled. “And...Rena, my squire...I feel as though she does not belong to me. I feel as though she belongs to the man in the dream.”

“She was your first student.” Ovelia reminded him, but he shook his head in reply.

“No...Gelehrter, my page, was my first student. He always has been. I know I've trained him in my own way. Rena...she feels different. I can't explain it.” Stolzer sighed and he sat upright in his bed.

“I understand if you are unable to continue. The data you're giving me is greatly appreciated, though I wonder why you went into the place alone. I gave you orders to wait for reinforcements.”

“I didn't enter the place alone, I've told you this. I went there with a partner, the man in my dream. You gave us orders to apprehend the ritual, whatever that ritual was.” He felt rage bubbling deep within his gut, his knuckles flashing white.

“Here, I have the copy I sent you.” She retrieved the letter from her pocket and handed it over to him.

Stolzer opened the letter and his eyes widened. The unfamiliar orders were there, detailing his need for discretion.

There is a ritual happening some time tonight. We intercepted a letter detailing this and we are sending reinforcements ahead of this letter. Wait for them at the usual place, do not allow yourself to be seen. Your squire and page are to evacuate. --Ovelia Mortem

“God...” He crushed the letter in agony, a mixture of emotion taking him.

“I understand this is all difficult to take in.”

His dark eyes met hers. A rush of memories erupted from deep within his psyche. The man in the dream took hold of him, the only remnants of his existence pouring from Stolzer's lips: “You are Ovelia Anastasia Mortem. You were married to a man named Alphonse Mortem, who bested you in combat and earned his place at your side. You know who he is, he shared his life with you for many years, advocating for you to adopt since you cannot have children of your own. He aided you in many mundane tasks and kept you in line when you stepped too far. Ovelia, you know who this is!”

She stared at him in disbelief. “I have never loved a man, no one has dared to--”

“Alphonse! You know Alphonse! He was there with me, he fell into the trap and was sacrificed in the ritual!” Stolzer threw the sheets from his body as he shouted at her, waking both Gelehrter and Rena with a jolt. His hands reached for Ovelia's shoulders but he was tackled to the bed by his page. He felt the rage subside and he attempted to catch his breath. “You...you know him. You know Alphonse.”

“Do not approach me that way again, Stolzer. Like or not, I am your Sanguine Overlord. I am conducting this investigation in the stead of my Justicar, who are in the field trying to fulfill the mission you failed!” She growled, slamming the book shut. “You are not fit for duty. Until you are well, you will receive more appropriate therapy. I don't care if it takes your entire life!”

Ovelia spun on her heels to leave. She had arrived alone, unarmed. To the Justicar, she seemed helpless.

But in the memories of the man in his dream, Alphonse, she needed no weapon. She was a weapon.