Ratella placed his finger to his lips, signaling silence to the woman and directing her to a hiding place in the office. The two ducked behind a bookshelf; the door was open, allowing them a look into the laboratory. The two lay in wait for whoever was in the supposed abandoned laboratory.
Another set of footsteps overlapped with the other; they were heavy and carried an immense weight. A similar set of armor from before reached the laboratory first, its armor azure and violet. It dwarfed the previous centuries, at least three times taller than the others. Two twin greatswords were attached to its back, affixed with silver braces that could easily snap at the slightest bit of pressure.
The same azure energy was trapped inside the armor, but its movements were calm and serene, unlike the disharmonic centuries above.
A small figure emerged from the shadow of the larger century, cloaked in a black robe, its features obscured. The only apparent thing was the four ebony wings peeking through the cloak.
"A dominion in here?"
"No, look at the wings, whoever that is, a fallen angel most likely. The head is obscured, but I don't see any indication of horns."
The two whispers didn't reach the duo's ears, fortunately.
"Master, this wasn't here before," declared the larger century, its monstrous arm pointing to the corroded stone.
"It appears we have some unwanted guests, but where could they be hiding, and are they even still here?"
The cloaked Fallen looked around the room, surveying its every surface. The cloaked Fallen's eyes caught Ratella's eye. They were of the same azure and violet from the vials.
"My studies were impeded for quite a while, but something reverted my laboratory to its previous state before it was attacked."
"Yes, master. It would appear to be that way that such power could revert a fallen laboratory from centuries ago to its previous state."
"We'll find out in time, my dear friend. The vials of everlasting life have been used up, though, all wasted on this plant. Did they not read my studies before experimenting on themselves?"
"It appears the intruders are amateurs in the field of alchemy and creation, Master."
"Mhm, it would seem so, but I can't manage to create any anger or annoyance at the wasted products. Only gratitude lives in my mind at being freed from my own cell. You being recreated brought a tear to my eye. I'm glad you're back, Friend."
"So master, will you continue your studies in the mastery of the six principles of Creation?"
"Of course, if you would continue to aid me? I would be grateful, although you are no longer confined to me, you may go wherever you want."
"No, I will stay at your side no matter the circumstances. If you are alive, then I am at your side, master."
"I appreciate your loyalty, friend."
"Liliana, what should we do?" whispered Ratella, conflicting opinions on the situation running through his mind.
"Um, I really don't have a clue. I'm stuck between killing them or just staying in hiding. This research could be valuable to Faravos, including the scientist."
"Master, it seems they didn't touch anything else in the laboratory. If they are still here, I suggest looking in your office."
"If they really are there, looking would just invite a knife into my belly. If anyone is in this laboratory, please make yourself known! We wish you no ill will!"
Ratella's brain wasn't made up yet on the correct decision; these people didn't seem to be filled with evil or hatred like the others he had met, making their deaths easy, but he didn't wish to kill these people for no reason.
Liliana decided on a path forward, revealing herself to the man walking out of the office, clapping her wings together to fit through the doorway.
With no other choice, Ratella followed the woman's bold move; he was sure she would be fine if a fight did break out, but he still wasn't sure it was the right move.
"I am Liliana Battleweaver, and this is Ratella Evergarden," declared Liliana. The gazes of the walking armor and the mysterious scientist fell upon them.
This was the first time he had heard Liliana accept and speak of the last name he had given her, inducing a broad smile to form on his face.
"Master, these two are dangerous, be careful," announced the armor, grasping the pommels of his greatswords, ever watchful of their visitors.
"Don't worry yourself, friend. I know this pink-haired woman is the Horsemen of War, my former superior."
The mysterious man took down his cloak, revealing his face to the two, as Ratella thought two collections of violet and azure energy lived in his eyes. The man was rather average-looking, sporting snow-white hair. A grievous scar clawed its way up his face, impossible to ignore.
"I thought I recognized the voice; it's been many centuries since the Sin of Greed. Mammon, a traitor to Kathoros and Favaros."
"Have you also turned traitor, My Lady? You have an angel at your side, how odd."
"You are the former Sin of Greed? How did you end up under a ruined church?" asked Ratella, gazing towards the man's scar and the towering century looming behind him.
"Yes, I betrayed both my countries in the pursuit of everlasting power using the Edict of Creation. I am Mammon Darkstep, and this is Orion, the primordial century of Creation. As for the church, this is my little hideout to evade detection from both countries, but it turned out to be pointless."
"Were the centuries at the altar of your creation as well?"
"Yes, they were to alert Orion and me of any intruders, but ended up as failures and useless piles of junk. They were of no help to the defense of my laboratory."
"What happened to the laboratory and church? You speak as if it were already destroyed."
"Orion and I were bested by one of the Dominions after a long pursuit for my head. They razed my little church and burnt my research into ash, locking me in the cell of my own hideout for centuries until the fallen Orion was pieced back together by emerald strings, freeing me from my imprisonment."
"Liliana? What's your opinion of this situation? I would much rather not kill people who hold no malice."
"You're right. Mammon could prove useful to us; this research is extraordinary from the little I've read. We will not kill these two but aid in their efforts for knowledge of Creation."
"You wish to aid us in the pursuit of Creation? I have no qualms with having your aid, but if you would please tell how you manage to revive Orion."
Mammon's eyes sparkled with curiosity and an unbridled thirst for knowledge of the unknown. His research spirit took over the conversation.
"A spell from the Edict of Time reverted the church to its previous state. We were curious about the undiscovered hiding on the island."
"I didn't know such a spell of an Edict existed, but I have been researching my own Edict for all my life, so I perhaps neglected my studies on the rest."
"Master, is this a good choice? Inviting the Horsemen of War and a six-winged angel into our home. You know the meaning of six wings, I trust?"
"Of course, I know what they mean, but the fact that he isn't a big ball of light conflicts with his supposed Seraphic identity and the Horsemen at his hip."
"Very well, master. I shall trust your judgement in this instance," declared Orion, withdrawing his gauntlet from the greatsword on his back, resuming a natural stance but still surveying the two.
"My friend wishes to train against a worthy opponent. This Orion seems to be quite a staggering threat. Will you help my friend?"
"It is up to Orion whether or not he'll help your angelic friend, Lady War."
"I value strength above all else, and this six-winged angel seems to meet my requirements. I shall aid his training if he wishes; it is my way of expressing my gratitude to my savior."
"We have an arena in this hideout to test the centuries I make. Whenever it's not in use, you can use it, just don't destroy it."
"Thank you, Mammon. But I have another question for you, Mammon."
"I'll be happy to answer anything you wish for me."
"Which Dominion caused all the sorrow you've experienced?"
"Please do not worry about my experience over the centuries. It wasn't all full of misery. I went into a deep slumber for most of my stay in the cell. While I can live for two millennia without food because of the enhancements in my body, I'll always end up going into a deep slumber to reserve my energy."
"You altered your body to match the lifespan of a Horseman or Dominion, then? How interesting, I think I'll need to join you in your future experiments," exclaimed Liliana, walking around the laboratory idly observing the vials of liquid and machines dotted around the room.
"I'll be happy to have your assistance. Orion is quite clumsy with science; he's more suited for combat than research, unfortunately."
Orion looked away from Ratella and Liliana, ashamed at his efforts in the lab.
"You didn't answer my question. Do you fear this Dominion that much?"
"I do fear the Dominion who caused our ruin; their name invites terror into my heart, but if you must know, it was Ickni, Custodian of Order."
"Ickni, the Dominion of Order, I suppose her appearance at your doorstep makes sense. She wouldn't want your research reaching the hands of Faravos; it would disrupt the order."
"Six-winged angel, Ratella Evergarden. What are your ties with Faravos, and why do you travel with a Horseman despite your race?" asked Orion, Ratella's appearance and the company he keeps making no sense to the primordial century.
"I suppose it wouldn't matter if I told you two, it seems everyone thinks you to be dead and buried. I am a Seraphim infected with the same bloodlust of Devils, whether that makes me a Devil or not. I'm not totally sure, but I've been trained as a Seraphim since birth. Right now, I seek the Primordial Light's head and to stop his cruel schemes undermining the value of a life."
"You traded a dark God for another one. I suppose I can see the logic in that decision even if it is flawed."
"I do not worship Nuit, I am only following her path to the destruction of Light. I shall point my own way after the corruption is purged from Kathoros."
Ratella's hatred and deep-rooted rage would come back in full force just at the mention of the Primordial Light, even from his own lips.
"Ratella Evergarden and Liliana Battleweaver, I hope we can start a fruitful relationship with each other and further our own greed for more power and to uncover the unknowns circling around this world," declared Mammon, the curiosity of the world once again exciting the man. His intrigue returned in full after his long absence from the laboratory.
"I've been wanting to train myself for the battles to come. I believe we can help each other immensely. The location makes for a perfect hideout, not affected by the war."
"I can issue all the orders I need from here, so I can't wait to assist with the research and experiments of Creation."
"We don't have many beds in this hideout, so you'll just have to find anything comfy, unfortunately."
"It's fine, we'll figure something out."