Kelsey, Mai and Saige are in an open clearing in a forest near Strife Village. Saige’s horns and tail are out, but his horns are shorter than usual, as he stands with his hand stretched outward infront of himself, while Kelsey and Mai stand to the side watching. “Now just try to form a fireball.”, says Mai. Saige tries, as his arm shakes abit from intense concentration, but nothing happens. “Damn, come on already!”, says Saige. “You can do it White Talon!”, says Kelsey. “Do you have to keep calling me White Talon?”, asks Saige. “It’s your hero name! It’s what you should truly be referred to by. The same way I prefer you to call me, “The Blue Phoenix”.”, says Kelsey. “Not happening.”, says Mai and Saige in unison.

  Gregory suddenly walks up to them. “What’s going on here now?”, asks Gregory. “Saige-”, says Mai, right before getting cut off by Kelsey. “The White Talon has a superpower and we’re trying to activate it!”. “Ah, you’re trying to see if you can unlock his demon magic. Well try that later, we got a mission.”, says Gregory. “Really? That soon?”, says Mai. “Yes. Although it isn’t a search for Azrael this time. Follow me, General Richter wants to explain it to us personally. “General Richter?”, says Saige.

  Given time, the four of them reach Gregory’s quarters and are with General Richter. Kelsey, Mai and Saige sit on the couch as Gregory and General Richter stand in front of the three. “The mission is that there’s trouble going down in Creed Town and...”, says General Richter, right before getting cut off by a widened eyed Saige. “Creed Town? Oh no. I’m not going back to that psycho place!”. “Hmm?”, says General Richter. “Excuse him sir, Saige’s originally from Creed Town.”, says Mai. “Oh I know. So it’ll be good, cause you’re already acquainted with the place.”, says General Richter.

  “Sir, to put it kindly, those lunatics kicked me out and I’m not willing to stroll back in.”, says Saige. General Richter then straightens up and puts his hands behind his back, like a soldier. “Listen Saige, as long as you’re part of our task force, you’ll go to any mission we put you on, no arguments! Do I make myself clear!?”, says General Richter. “Ah, but these pricks...”, says Saige, right before stopping, after noticing the front door open.

  Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

  The front door opens and a light-skinned middle-aged man with well groomed brown hair, black pants, black long sleeve shirt and a preacher’s collar walks in. He then looks at Saige with an unamused face. “Father Terrance.”, says Saige, addressing the man by his name. “Demon.”, says Father Terrance, addressing Saige. “Not a demon.”, says Saige. “In denial still I see.”, says Father Terrance. “Still brainwashing the children into your twisted religion?”, says Saige. ““Twisted”? More like, “helpful”. Maybe if you were more dedicated you wouldn’t have turned out the way you are.”, says Father Terrance.

  “Who let this bastard walk in here?”, asks Saige. “I did and he is on our side, Saige.”, says General Richter. “Our side!?”, says Saige. Gregory then chimes in, “Saige he’s an official voice on our leading council and is leader of Creed Town.”. Saige takes a few seconds to ponder, then speaks, ““Mayor Terrance”!? Since when the hell did that happen!?”. “Since four months ago.”, says Father Terrance. “Are you sure you didn’t bribe the town? Oh wait they’re all sick in the head, why am I surprised.”, says Saige.

  “Enough.. insulting each other. Listen Saige, we’re tight on people. And Creed Town is dealing with a demon problem. They call them the Beast Tamer. They’ve been stealing pets in the night.”, says General Richter. Saige pauses for a few seconds before talking. “That’s it?”, says Saige.

  “There’s a belief they could be connected to Azrael.”, says General Richter. Saige sighs. “I need your group to head over to Creed Town, pronto, and deal with this Beast Tamer. That is the mission and I expect you to do it. Is that clear?”, says General Richter. “Crystal.”, says Gregory.

  “Okay, we’ll take our leave.”, says General Richter. “It was.. I’d say, “a pleasure to see you again”, but I’d be lying.”, says Father Terrance toward Saige. “Same to you.”, says Saige toward Father Terrance. General Richter then exits Gregory’s quarters with Father Terrance walking behind him. “Going to Creed Town, you gotta be kidding me.”, says Saige. “Not much we can do about it Saige, it was a direct order from General Richter.”, says Gregory. “Greg, come on, I know you can sense Father Terrance is evil.”, says Saige. “I don’t wanna hear more about it. Saige, will you cooperate?”, asks Gregory. “Over my dead body! Screw that guy!”, says Saige. “Saige...”, says Gregory. “He can eat crap for all I care!”, says Saige. “Saige...”, says Mai. “What!?”, says Saige.

  “What if I said it’ll be okay, cause all four of us will be there. And we don’t have to be there long, just for one day.”, says Mai. Saige folds his arms, but ponders it. “You’re saying you can’t last one day there?”, asks Mai. “Alright fine.. I’ll go. But, if I get poisoned there, I told you so.”, says Saige.