"So how did you get that wound?" Stella had one eyebrow raised while watching Doctor Hocho apply medicine to the deep gash.

"I stepped into Jack's path for revenge, so he drove a blade through my shoulder." Ace pouted. Jack stared at every supply stacked in the cupboards. He would rather not explain stabbing his friend.

"So, why didn't you dodge it, or stop the blade?" Stella not letting up. Jack faces them again and nods to reinforce the correct line of questioning.

"I wanted to have matching scars with Jack. We are like twins." Ace raises his moustache to show his teeth.

"You are a dumbass." The disappointment in her voice made Doctor Hocho wince.

"Let's move on. It's good that Billy went home. How was he?" Ace questioned.

"Physically, he just needs rest. He would be able to rest home and check in with me ever so often. If you mean mentally then—"

"He was happy to hear Jack was okay. He felt down that we weren't able to follow up on that lead. He left this morning apologising. I couldn't really find any words. We definitely have to check on him later." Stella followed.

"I see. He really is a good guy. I wish I was more careful," Jack mentioned.

"Ahh, innocence. The cruelty of battle stretches far beyond this. I wish my heart still shattered over the loss of a limb. Many a battle has made this heart cold. I am sure you are the same way. With all these scars I am sure it also came with a lot of loss." The doctor smiling at the grim topic didn't sit right with the younger pair.

"Honestly, it never got easier for me. I can't say I became cold towards it, but I have seen a lot of people I cared about find fates they weren't ready for. I agree with you doc, its great they still have this innocence, but I hope they keep these same feelings, even if they are ever cursed to see more."

The scars on Ace's body ran deep. Jack had seen them before during training. He thought they looked cool. The battles of a hero. Now, staring at them caused a lump in his throat. Billy was lucky, but he also wasn't. It wasn't for Jack to decide. The one who suffered loss carries the viewpoint that is important. Jack knew he was lucky, and all he could do is continue forward. His heart rate steadily increased.

"Ace, what are we going to do about the situation? How are we approaching it?"

"What situation?" Stella sat up straight. Were there more consequences she wondered.

"Tenny is following some members of Eclipse right now. He should come back with a lead," Jack said.

"No way! Why didn't you start with that instead of a guy who let himself get stabbed? What is the plan?"

"I'm not sure I want to tell you anymore. That was harsh." Ace glowered for a second before wincing at the stitches. "Okay, no more joking around. It is super important that you keep your emotions under control. Jack, none of what happened today."

"Yea, won't happen again boss."

"I like how you said that. That is the entire idea, just let me do the talking, and look as tough as you can. You are going to have to trust me again. The main goal is to find out about Luna."

"Are we going to take them down?" Stella's eyes made Jack's pores open. His body felt cold suddenly. Do they have to fight all of them? Billy deserves that, but can they do it?

"I don't think that it is the best plan. We don't know their full strength and the strength they have shown is enough for us to hesitate. Let's just focus on getting information, and I can try to keep them in town for the military to handle them."

"That can work. The military can capture them if they have the information." Jack joined in the plan.

"Your hero has arrived! Ready to go?" Tenny's grin showed an emotion that felt opposite to Jack's. He looked at his mentor. This time is different.

"Yea, let's go!" Ace pulled on his shirt and jacket. "Jack, leave your weapons with the doctor. We are just going to talk. Stella, can you hide your hair pin just in case?"

"Ace, I'm hungry!" The hero said while jumping on Ace's head.

***

"I saw them walk through this door. I stayed for at least 30 minutes to see if anyone else came out, and nothing happened." The crew found themselves at the end of an alley way again. This one unfamiliar. The building that the door was attached too seemed closed. It wasn't a house, but there was no indication of what they were walking into. Here goes nothing.

The metal door didn't budge. That should have been expected. Jack suggested they break through the front. That door was wooden, it would be easier without making as much noise. Ace thought it would look to suspicious. This would be easier and less noise.

"Tenny, make it jagged, please."

"Yes, Sir." Tenny leapt in the air in front of Ace as a thin jagged blade of pure black appeared from his paws and fell into Ace's grip.

"What just happened?" Jack remembered that Tenny could use dark magic, but it wasn't like the rules of dark wisps at all.

"All creatures use a completely different system than us. Tenny has the ability to create objects out of dark energy, but I can't say anyone really understands their magic. Even creatures don't fully grasp it because it comes natural to them," Ace explained while sawing at the door lock in the narrow gap between the frame. "I recommend not fighting a mystical creature. Although I doubt one will ever try and fight. They are pretty strict at following The Three. Oh, and Virgo too, since he is a Mythical Magic User. Andddd we are done!"

The metal door swung in front of them. A warm fragrance escaped the doorway. It was sweet, fresh, it was bread.

"No way. Is this the bakery?" Jack's eyes and nostrils were wide open.

"It would seem so." Stella already taking a step inside. The rest of the team right behind her as they scanned the empty kitchen. The display was barren as well and the scent must have come from the closed off fire pit in the corner.

"Tenny, check it out." Ace sat on the counter and looked towards the back of the room. Tenny disappeared in an instant. Jack was going to suggest they check around too, but Tenny was already back.

"Yup, there seems to be something hiding behind the cupboard. Everywhere else is empty." Tenny's voice echoed excitement. Stella couldn't help but think that the two of them were a team no one should ever cross.

Jack opened the doors of the extra-large wooden box to see the only item inside, another door at the back of it. He carefully turned the handle with success.

"Don't forget to follow my lead." Ace took charge. The door was hiding a wooden staircase surrounded by walls. The wall ended halfway down the stairs, to reveal a large room filled with barrels, sacks of probably wheat, a large arsenal of weaponry, and a few sealed chests towards the back, and lastly, roughly 30 men with weapons drawn, staring at the four of them.

"Who are you?" Mr. Quinn bellowed from the other side of the room behind a desk.

"Tenny, go tell him I want to talk. Stella, Jack, take any two of them out quickly." In the instant that Ace finished his sentence, Tenny had already disappeared. The pair rushed in front of him. Jack chose the closest to Ace. The guy was already in stance with sword drawn, but he still couldn't react to the sudden burst forward from a Wind Walk. The mercenary could barely take a back step before Jack slammed his fist across his chin sending the sword wielder crashing into the wall. At the same time Stella was running before coming to a halt. She lifted her right hand to reveal a decent size red orb was already in her palm. It zoomed from her hand, directly into the chest of another mercenary. He crashed into two others before taking them to the ground.

"Sheesh I only said two." The rest of soldiers began rushing ahead.

"Stop!" The heavy words from Mr. Quinn halted everyone in their tracks. Every soldier stepped to the side leaving a path for the group to walk through. It was hard to describe, but each of Ace's step seemed purposeful. He definitely doesn't walk like that but with his hands in his pockets and each step feeling weighty and slow, he left a mixed impression on the characters that lined the walls. Jack and Stella did as he said and followed his lead. Their eyes sharp and focused on different soldiers as they made their way to Mr. Quinn.