"Is that you hon?" a voice called from a short distance as Jack waited just outside the door of their home. He took off his boots and looked up to see large emerald eyes. She had rich bronze skin and a glowing smile, but the most noticeable feature was the child hidden in her tummy.

"Good Evening!" Jack waved.

"This is Jack. He just helped me catch a couple of thieves by the stands. I am trying to give him a hand in catching some bandits. I figured I could treat him a meal. Jack this is my wife, Monica."

"That is perfect, I just finished, and I made enough."

"Thanks for having me."

They sat around the table enjoying a plate of mashed potatoes and grilled chicken. It was wonderful, especially since he didn't realise how hungry he was until the food sat in front of him. He bet he was the luckiest out of the search team.

"So Wind Walk huh? Ya have a real talent for it. I still haven't been able to use it effectively and I have been serving the military for a little over a year now."

"Hon, you talk as if you wanted to join the military. Do you want to join the military someday Jack, is that why you are practising mimics?"

"No, not really. I am on a small adventure with a couple of friends of mine, and we decided we should be able to protect ourselves. Did you not want to join the military?"

"Nah, but I didn't really have much other purpose. I used to be a farmer, but I lost the will for it. Everyone was surprised and they told me that the government would just place me back there unless I came up with something. I racked my brain for quite some time and just decided to join the military since I didn't figure it out. I have grown to like it recently though and it gives us extra on the ledger. We are doing better than when I was a farmer. It always feels good to do good and eat good." Billy chuckled. "About 5 months ago I took down a group of bandits in a night raid. It was my first big bust. Doing good...being there for others...it was...exciting and that's when the job hooked me."

"Yea you really came home thrilled that day." Monica grinned before taking a bite. Billy turned red. Jack quickly looked down at his plate.

"So, are there a lot of crimes that happen here? Back home, we have a large military force so there isn't much crime." Jack grinned a bit thinking back that he was going to the be first arrest back home since the military arrived at his village. That would have looked bad.

"I wouldn't say it is a lot. It is never from people living in the town. Everyone has their ledgers sorted so we get everything we need. Just east of here is Evergreen Village. It is famous for their adventurer and hunting guilds. A lot of young un's want to try their hand at it. They travel from all over and a lot pass through here. They never have their ledgers sorted so they try and steal or cause trouble. Ya going on an adventure, but never resorting to stealing, okay? Good honest work is always the best."

"I will try my best not to." Jack flashed back to Ace and his stupid grin. "I heard of guilds, but everyone says hunting guilds are a terrible profession since Virgo stops them."

"I'm not too sure, but I know that they do cause trouble. I can bet that those bandits that robbed you were travelling to Evergreen. Tomorrow I am sure we will find a lead."

"Don't worry about the bandits, it isn't such a big deal, but I do need your help with something. Have you heard of Eclipse? I think they might be in this town." Jack waited for any sign that would make him regret his question. His shoulders tensing up with every second before a response.

"Eclipse is a big name, but they are something of a myth around these parts. I can't say I know anything is going on around the town," Billy said calmly but Jack definitely noticed that he was shocked by the mention.

"I have heard from other girls around that there are a bunch of guys that harass them. It's not an uncommon thing with people passing through our village so often, but these guys have been here longer than any others. They usually get their stocks together as early as they can. It might be worth looking into."

"Thank you so much Monica! I'll definitely check it out tomorrow," Jack said as his face radiated energy. They have a lead.

"I'll join ya tomorrow then. How about we meet up at 4 in the morning outside the inn," Billy offered.

"Thank you guys so much for everything! I can't repay you enough for your kindness."

"Aw, we are just returning the favour dear." Monica smiled.

***

Jack made a confident stride up to the tavern door. Sunset would be soon, so he was sure he would find Ace here. Jack had something. They could plan and see where this takes them. He is positive they will be so glad! He pushes open the door to see Ace on the table in the centre of the room with two strangers holding him up on their shoulders. They stumbled to the left and the right almost to a rhythm. The waitress stood just off to the side, clapping along with an awkward grin on her face. It was easy to see that she was uncomfortable and was unclear on the rules about standing and singing on the table, and was struggling to stop it. The rest of the bar was pounding the side of their fists to keep a rhythm and those who weren't joining in had their eyes glued to the performers.

"Okay from the top! Last time!" Ace led the choir.

"Oooooooo! I laced my boots and my bag I pack,

The maiden's tears I dry,

I stood with the band on the old dirt track,

As the maiden waved goodbye,

The months were long and the years dragged on,

I craved to hear my maiden's song,

The soft sweet voice let me carry on,

One more time for I die,

The war was done and the band's blood thick,

Came home to a sight that made me sick,

The fates had played a cruel ole trick,

For the maiden had moved on,

Now my home is on the old bar chair,

Drink with the band the lousy pair,

Drink to the words that life's not fair,

Cause now my maiden's gone"

The bar cheered and Ace hoped off the table. The two band mates took more time soaking in the atmosphere.

"Jack, nice seeing you here," Ace said placing his hand over Jack's shoulder. "How did your day go?"

"Clearly not as fun as this, but I thought you said you were taking this seriously."

"I thought I told you to have fun," Ace retorted. "Find anything?"

"Yea let's go meet up with Stella."

***

The team sat back at the dining hall below the inn. Stella had poured some of her stew in a bowl for Tenny.

"You guys aren't eating anything?" She questioned.

"I'm full," Jack denied.

"I'll probably throw up," Ace said slowly.

"Looks like you did get carried away. I could use a drink. Jack how old are you?"

"I turned 18 a couple of months ago," he replied.

"Perfect, let's get a couple of beers. How about you Ace, would you like some more?" Stella asked with a wicked smile.

"I don't see why you hate me." He pouted.

"So I found out that there are some troublesome people that make their stocks really early in the morning. They have been in town for some time, so it is a lead worth following," Jack said feeling like they were off topic.

"That is good, maybe we can see where they are off too. I found out that Eclipse uses here as a base. They do missions out of town and gain reputation outside, so it never ties back here I am guessing. I'm not sure how but the leader is a normal person here, so no one ever doubts him. He doesn't leave the village but always has people to do the jobs he takes up. They run a really tight shift and some fresh recruits said they just pulled off a job, so they came back to town. This is a big organisation, Miss Stella. How did Miss Luna get tied up with them?"

"I don't know all the details, but it was due to politics. I am from a fairly large kingdom called Cartina. It existed for a long time and made a fair number of scientific discoveries, so after the ledger system was created 300 years ago, Cartina didn't conform fully. Instead of the empire handling the resources and systems, it is passed on to the 7 houses. My full name is Stella Ursa de Duo, and it means I was to inherit the leadership of the second house. There is a hierarchy in the house systems and certain houses always want different sectors to control.

"My parents were killed while we were travelling. I was 6 and Luna was 2. After that, the houses fought to adopt us, and the new leader of our house thought it was a great time to get rid of us, so his family would have more power. The other houses wanted to raise us so they might have claim to take over a different sector," Stella explained while waving for another drink.

Jack felt a bit funny after that one, and the taste was horrible, but he didn't want to break the flow of Stella's story, even though he disliked how each sentence seemed to tire her out more and more.

"I got lucky. The house that took me in was kind and full of warmth. The head of the house wanted to use my name, but my adoptive parents just wanted a child they could love. I rebelled a lot when I was younger, to try and get Luna, even just see her, but the house she went to had a troubled past. My new parents didn't let me leave because they feared I would be a target so Luna would be the heir to the house. They had me train a lot and study, but they just wanted me to live. When I was 9, there was an attack in Cartina. They said someone broke into the Luna's new house and killed the entire family. I was told the news and didn't know what to do. My parents consoled me and told me they would protect me. They apologised that they couldn't protect Luna too.

"9 months ago, I turned 18 and there was a celebration thrown. I would be eligible for taking over the Duo house. During the party, the next in line for Luna's house told me that Luna could still be alive. That the former head was in shady business and a mercenary group called Eclipse had him killed and the family covered it up. Eclipse had kidnapped Luna instead of killing her and it was hidden. I snuck out of the Kingdom that night with the help of the girl, Claire. I have been searching for Luna ever since." Stella's eyes filled with tears. Her lips trembled. She bowed her head quickly, but the tears left spots on the wood table. "I lived a good life. She was suffering and I lived a good life. Why?"

"So you can show her. You can teach her all about the things you got to learn. You all have a lot of life to live, and it will be with each other," Ace said calmly.

Jack watched his friend gather herself. They will find her.