"I assume you are the boss, and this is the so-called Eclipse." Ace signalled for one of the mercenaries to bring over a crate for him to sit on.

"I don't often repeat myself, however I can tell you are someone special so I will allow it. Who are you?"

"I am the leader of a mercenary group. I am a hundred percent sure that you have heard of us. They call us Lunar Eclipse." Every eye pierced Ace's flesh. The worst stare came from the bewildered eyes of Jack. Why would anyone believe him? "I'll explain it to your men since you probably never explained your inspiration, but I am the third-generation boss of a top tier mercenary group from the east. My uncle passed on the title to me, and he got it from his dad's best friend's wife's cousin who started the operation 60 years ago. It doesn't matter too much, but you can just call me Boss from now on, Baker."

"I thought someone who had a Mystical Creature as a pet would be special, but even so I can't stand it when someone is lying to my fac—"

"It seems your thoughts were right. I didn't know you were hard of hearing. I am the third-generation boss; thus, I am special indeed, and I would rather not waste time. Are you trying to take my score?"

"What score?"

"Huh, I was sure you would have known. It seems like there is an alliance forming between the empire and a southern country. I am not sure of the details, but a high-ranking member of the council is making its way through this village and heading to the ports. They are carrying a convoy full of goods to trade for some reason. That doesn't concern me because it will be mine for the taking. I planned to attack them in Torrs Village, but I got word they change their route and would arrive here in 3 days. I am already pissed in organising 200 men to get here in time and imagine how upset I was when I found out that you were gathering back your troops here. I have heard of the name Eclipse before and I allowed you all to keep using my name cause I thought you would die out, but now it looks like you are trying to stab me in the back."

"How could I stab you in the back when no one has ever heard about you. I am getting tired of the lies. If there was such a convoy, I would have heard about it. You aren't soldiers, but you clearly are working with them. Your two members there have been sloppy, so stop wasting my time and tell me who you are and why you are here." Stella could see the veins forming on Quinn's head. His beady eyes were weighed down by his eyebrows.

"For someone who says they know this and know that. You sure don't know anything do you? I am starting to feel sorry for your men. You didn't know about the largest score passing through your own town. You didn't know Billy was my inside man in this village. You pretend not to know about Lunar Eclipse. I came here because I wanted to see what kind of man you are. I was willing to cut you in because I am on your turf, but if you are too ignorant to a treasure that rivals a kingdom's fortune then stay out of my way."

"You really are pissing me off. You feel sorry for my men? You have no idea the power we hold. How far we are going to go." His words seemed to rile up the crowd. They all had a reason to be there, and it seemed Quinn sold them an ideal future.

"That's what I like to see Baker. You have the support of your troops. What is your goal here? You plan to flee to the southern continent with treasure you collected? If you give me a good enough reason, then I am sure it will be good to have allies like me." Ace took out his chef's knife and points the tip off to the right aiming at one of the sealed chests behind Quinn. "I am guessing that is a Null Metal box. That shows your power to acquire something like that, but here is mine." The dark energy blade extends from the knife into the metal chest, cracking the strange purple and black stone before tearing into the metal.

"Boss! That has to be Mystical Magic!" a soldier yelled out while looking at the gems and gold spilled on the ground.

"Wisps can't touch Null Metal, right! What was that?" another soldier chimed in. Whispers started to form in the room. Mr. Quinn's beady eyes stretched to reach his forehead.

"I get it. That blade could reach me before any of these men take a step. You have my interest Boss. You want to know about us? We are a band that is tired of being tools of the empire. Forced to fill out ledgers and daily task while some cities and kingdoms are filled with people that never have to lift a finger. I am going to form my own dark kingdom and become the fifth Stray Monarch. What do you think?"

"Is that enough to take people's lives?" Jack got emotional. "Good innocent people who try their hardest to live a full and peaceful life. You all claim you want freedom, but what is the cost? Tools of the empire? Aren't these people just tools for you to reach where you want to? What is so bad about living as a part of society?"

"Talked like a true soldier. You should choose better men, Boss. He practically sold you all out." Damnit. Jack clenched his fist. He got carried away. His mind couldn't help replaying the events of his friend being cut. He knew he wasn't supposed to. Was it because he felt they were at a place of power? How could he mess this entire thing up? He glanced over to Stella, but she wasn't fazed. The cold gaze was fixed on one point and one point alone. Jack snapped back his composure. He would figure it out.

"I think you misunderstand, Baker. We are mercenaries, but our band never drags the innocent into our actions. He is right in questioning your intentions when you make claims as grand as yours," Ace calmly denied the opponent before slowly turning the chef's knife on the table to have the blade pointed at Mr. Quinn as it rested there.

"Fine. I will indulge your subordinate. He could learn a lesson anyway since he clearly has not seen the world. The quota's the villages fill is used to sustain the village with a thin margin. The remainder all is taken to larger kingdoms or cities. The workload is carefully calculated for the cities to reap the benefits. The empire's system is flawed. 'To move forward, we must unite so all can live well.' They say this, but the major cities and kingdoms live in excess. It is an excess no one in this class can hope to achieve. What is wrong with wanting a little more equality. Why must they live with such comfort off our backs. You are right. My men are my tools for my goals, but they know that they are tools being used to build something they look forward to, instead of building the extravagance of people they will never see. You are a fool if you believe in this ledger system. It does grant everyone with resources and a purpose, but it is designed to cage the people that keep the empire alive."

"Freedom." Ace's voice wavered. Stella finally took her eyes of the large preaching man to see her friend glance down. His character broke for a short moment until his eyes raised again. "I can understand the fight for freedom. You wouldn't believe it, but that was my exact goal. With the treasure on this convoy, that dream is possible. I don't know what it takes to run a dark kingdom so I can count on you. I will handle the military force, you just back us up and make off with the treasure. We can meet up after and when I start a dark kingdom, you can be my adviser. Sounds like the perfect deal right. The only condition is giving me information on something only you can. What happened to Luna from Cartina?"

Quinn's face radiated. Stella's stomach dropped. Jack hated the cold wave that washed his body as Mr. Quinn's mouth contorted into a smile. He could tell this was what the man was waiting for. Something to make sense as to why they broke into his base. Either that or he was sure he drew a trump card.

"Luna. I haven't heard that name in ages. Not many around here know that name. To my understanding that incident was covered up. What would you like to know?" Mr. Quinn began tapping each finger on the desk with a fast rhythm.

"Now you are making me repeat myself. I want to know what happened to her," Ace answered.

"I might as well inform everyone about the story of Eclipse." Mr. Quinn's voice filled the room. The The sound of his tapping stopped and replaced by the sounds of footsteps behind them. Jack swivelled to see mercenaries gathered in a crowd. The boy's heart skipped as the path to the staircase was hidden by a sea of faces. He heard mumbling and what seemed to sound like chains.

"Ace," Jack whispered.

"Don't worry," The moustached man replied without looking back.

"9 years ago, Eclipse was a small band that operated in the Dark Kingdom run by the King of the Moon. We were fresh and would take any job that came our way, when leader of the Septem house acquired a large debt. He was young and greedy, and his visits was always shrouded in secrecy. Our job was simple. Collect the debt. The King of the Moon figured he would have to pay it off with royal antiques if we blackmailed him with his gambling addiction, but he ignored all threats. We figured he would have to pay if we had his child. After kidnapping Luna, the family still made no efforts. The King was outraged that we went after a child and decided we would be disbanded for our actions. We were ambitious to make it right, so we decided to storm the household and kill his entire family while looting the place.

"That's when I saw that we had the power. The King was just giving orders, but we are the ones that make him strong. We disappeared with the treasure and decided never to look back. Unfortunately, a woman in the band decided that they couldn't leave Luna behind. Rosa looked after her, so I had no qualms until Rosa didn't make it back from a mission. That wretched woman left me with the child, but to my surprise, the kid had a knack for fighting and could use dark mimics.

"She had to earn her keeps and turned out to be one of my greatest weapons. The Reaper of Eclipse they call her. The soldiers call her Ashe, and she is right over there."