Most snow from the previous two days had melted in the city. Traffic resumed throughout the urban jungle, children played in the white fluff that remained, and water dripped from icicles still hanging from rooftops. Steam rushed out from the AC unit of Kurt's trailer, making everyone inside feel warm and toasty. Laying on the couch with a thick blanket over her was Delle. The bald girl sipped from her mug of hot cocoa, enjoying the warm steam on her face. 

The front door opened, and the pixie shook her wings to fling off snow. "Brrrrr! I brought you something." Ellia stepped inside and placed a gift bag on her friend's lap. Curiously, Delle reached inside and pulled out two presents. "Heh, a toboggan and a wig? Really?" she asked with a smile. "Figured you'd want something to cover your head, until your hair grows back. Oh! And one more thing." Ellia reached into her thick coat and pulled out a portable, game station with red and blue controllers. "It's like thirty years old, but my dad used to play it all the time. It's got 2 controllers so we can play together."

Delle excitedly grabbed the game and said, "Awesome!" As she turned on the device, the girl found her hairless reflection on the central screen. With a disheartened look on her face she asked, "Ellia, am I still pretty...without hair?" "Of course you are," her friend said without a second thought, "Why would you even ask that?" Insecurity still gripped Delle, so Ellia held her hand. "Just like your Symbol, hair doesn't define your worth. You do. You're not useful because you have power. Your power is useful because you control it." " Both shared a big smile, then Delle replied, "Right. Now get ready to lose!" "You're on!"

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Inside the abandoned mechanic shop, Xavier rises from his slumber. Still in his beetle armor, he clanks as he rolls over on the floor. "Ugh, slept like a rock." "Don't push yourself," warns Kronia, kneeling beside him, "Glad to have you back with us." Dolly also sits on the floor wrapping her skinny arms around her brother's head. "I was so sad without you here." The family's care puts a big smile on Xavier's bearded face, and he sits up to hug her back. "I missed you too."

The happy mood doesn't last long, however, as Xavier says, "Kronia, Dolly, I have some bad news." "What is it?" the gladiator asks. "It's Jang. He's been...executed." A wave of devastation hits the room, even Vik seems disturbed by it and adds, "But I never heard anything about it. Wouldn't that have been in the news or something?" The giant Xavier stands with his head hung low. "The state kept it quiet, so we wouldn't find out. Governor Fryste wanted us to come looking for him I bet-" "To take us out as well," interrupts Kronia.

Somewhat insensitive, Vik steps closer and asks, "Then you're done? Your mission is over because the goal is lost." Kronia growls in a visible cloud of breath, but Xavier intercedes. "Maybe the kid has a point. I never fully agreed with Jang's vision, and Dolly doesn't either, but we swore an oath to fight with him till the end. Now that he's gone...we can walk our own path." The masked Dolly nods, twisting her hands around her staff. "But, we won't leave you, Kronia. Whatever you choose, we'll stay together."

The gladiator looks down at the shield resting on her left arm, specifically crafted to resemble her master's. Every moment of her fighting by his side, proving herself to him, becoming his strongest apprentice, replays in her mind. "Komo was born to be her father's successor," she says to her allies, "but she has neglected her purpose." A determined look in her eye focuses forward as she lifts her mountain axe. "In our master's honor and name, I will take up the mantle. Today, we will finish what he started! Obliterate the state!"

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Through the speaker on Fryste's desk, Granknight announced, "Ms. Governor, Officer Kurt has arrived." "Send him in." Both tall, wooden doors opened to let Kurt inside, however, joining him were two unexpected guests: Gren and Komo. "Kurtis, what are the apprentices doing here?" "We need to talk about some things," the mentor boldly answered, "and they want answers just as much as I do." The governor didn't seem too thrilled. "Leave." "No!" Komo demanded back, "You killed my dad and didn't even bother to tell me! Why!?" A tense moment of silence filled the dark wood office. Neither side was backing down.

"Orphaning you was never the goal, child. It was a side effect," Fryste coldly replied, "Your father was too great a threat to leave alive." "But why didn't you tell her?" asked Gren in a calmer voice. "Because Jang's Hand poses an equally potent danger. If they discovered their leader was executed, then they would have never come out of hiding." Still angry, Komo shouted, "And you couldn't just tell me!?" The girl's tone put a greater scowl on Fryste's battle-worn face. "The risk was too great, since you have ties to them."

Changing the topic, the governor turned to Kurt. "Stag's interrogation. Relay it." "He never said anything about their plans. Stag- no, Xavier asked to see Jang as a condition to tell us everything, but I had to tell him the truth." Fryste actually displayed some emotion as she stood from her blue, leather chair. "You gave away sensitive information to the enemy!? How much more did you tell him!?" "How much more are you not telling me!? How did you know what was happening to Delle!?"

Fryste boiled with anger, but chose to sit back down and press the speaker button. "Granknight, have my guests leave the office. And apprehend Kurtis's license." Without delay, the armored giant stepped inside towards Kurt and the apprentices. "No hard feelings," he whispered behind his helmet. A white card with Kurt's face was taken from his hand. As Granknight led him and the apprentices out of the office, Kurt gave his superior a furious side-eye, and she returned the favor. With the office to herself, Fryste dialed the wireless desk phone and waited for an answer. "I'm going to need your assistance...Things are getting out of hand."