The room lost focus. Maren was acutely aware that she was standing, that her heart was racing, that her breathing was beginning to escalate to a dangerous speed. Her eyes focused on her nylon bag and an overwhelming force compelled her to it. Many contents filled it, but Maren’s adept hand knew exactly where to reach. The book Isle of the Night, her comfort, seemed to hop into her hand and out of the bag. Before Maren could think, she was huddled in the corner of her bed, opening her escape. 

Soon she was lost on the sea, the salt-filled air tickling her skin as she made a daring escape. She’d just raided a fort for bounty, defeating the corrupt General Becker’s platoon alongside her handsome, swashbuckling captain, William Falcon. Together, they laughed as they fled the eviscerated fort, allowing the winds to blow their course onto their next adventure. 

A loud knocking jolted her. Maren’s head was on a swivel, her heart racing. Was she under attack? Did General Becker give chase and hail upon them the fires of heaven? 

Another knock sounded. “Blessed Wave Leaper? Are you in there?” 

Maren blinked several times. She was curled on her bed, a line of drool down her cheek, with her book covering her thumbs. She’d fallen asleep reading! 

“One sec!” Maren called. 

She scrambled to make herself presentable, then realized she’d slept in her clothes. Her hair was pulled into tails, still frizzy from her lack of care she’d put into it this morning. Huffing, she tried to run her brush through it again, but the frizz refused to die. 

One day, you little bitch. Maren glared at her hair through a mirror. One day. 

Maren opened the door. “What’s up?” 

The receptionist – a small, twig-thin woman with straw-colored hair – smiled. “Mr. Colbert told me to come get you. It’s a little later than expected, but the Supporter and Autonomous bishops will be arriving in a few minutes.” 

Maren nodded, then she flinched. How long had she been sleeping? Upon checking her tablet, she found it was nearly ten o’clock! 

I’ve been sleeping for almost ten hours. Maren stretched. Man, this was the best sleep she’d had in days! 

“Of course,” Maren said. “Lead the way.” 

Like before, Maren met with Colton, Julio, and Theresa in the large front room of the headquarters. Colton was twirling his mustache while he talked with Theresa, who looked like she’d aged several years since this afternoon. Julio was fidgety, tapping his foot and continually looking at his wristband. Maren stood by them and waited. 

A minute later, someone else entered the headquarters. All three heads of CC Corp shot to the door, but it was only Mav who strolled in, looking freshly showered, yet still wearing his unzipped vest and cargo shorts. He didn’t glance at Maren as he settled next to her, which was fine. She didn’t give him a passing glance either. 

“They’re here,” the receptionist said ten agonizing minutes later, taking out an earpiece. “Julie is escorting them here now.” 

When the doors opened again, two vastly different figures walked in. The one on the left was easily the bishop from the Supporters sect: she was taller than Mav and could have been as muscular, but her thick robes of swirling, various browns covered every inch of her skin below the chin; even a sturdy hat topped her head, hiding most of her braids, but revealing her night-dark skin. The Autonomous bishop on the right looked every bit the part: he was so small and skinny the Supporter bishop could have hurled him like a javelin – and he’d likely have flown far even without his Gift. His sky blue-and-white robes were free flowing and refused to cover various parts of his body, displaying his light brown skin; a very deep V cut down the front, revealing more of his tiny chest than Maren cared to see, and random cuts along its lower sides displayed much of his hips and legs – so much so to the point that Maren wasn’t sure if he wore underwear. 

“Blessed Bishops,” Colton said, moving toward them and rubbing his hands together. “We are so fortunate and honored that you have come so quickly at such short notice.” 

“It’s an important matter,” the Autonomous bishop said, swiping a strand of his long, dark hair behind his ear. “And it requires a swift resolution.” 

“After considerable thought, of course,” the Supporters bishop said, lowering her head to meet Colton’s eye. “It is a pleasure to meet with you, my child. Were it only under better circumstances.” 

Maren refrained from rolling her eyes. My child. As if Colton wasn’t at least twenty years older than her! 

“My name is Bishop Jada, from the Supporters,” the bishop continued. 

“And I’m Diego,” the other bishop said. “Bishop Diego, I suppose.” 

Jada took a breath, then continued. “Your report, Mr. Colbert, was quite disturbing. Before we make any decisions on the matter, I would like to hear it again.” 

Bishop Diego shot her a glance, tapping his foot. At least he was professional enough to not voice his impatience openly. 

“Completely understandable,” Colton said. “From me, or...?” 

“From the mouth of the ones who discovered the Irate Divine.” Jada locked eyes with Maren and then Mav. “I assume that would be you two, Holy Siblings.” 

Maren bit her tongue. “Yes... Sister.” 

Maren wanted to detail their whole experience, but Jada asked Mav to explain his side of things when they’d split, as he was the first to see the Titans. He was succinct with his story, so Maren picked it back up, first describing the cave she’d found, and then filling in the details Mav had left out. 

“Though, we discussed more about the matter after we gave our initial report,” Maren began her conclusion. “It’s a matter requiring extreme secrecy, though. Civilians wouldn’t be allowed to hear our conjecture, given an order that we are not allowed to take credit for something that recently happened.” 

Jada’s sharp eyes narrowed. “But in terms of this investigation, you feel it necessary to disclose it.” 

“For my and my guildmate’s safety, I’d rather only say it to concerned parties. Which, in this case, is only you, Jada.” 

“Then, I suppose, I shall like to have a very quick tour of the second floor,” Bishop Diego said. “You three, please lead the way.” 

With some grumbling from Julio, the three civilians led the Autonomous Bishop upstairs. When their footsteps grew silent, Jada turned back to Maren. 

“What is this sensitive information, Sister?” she said. 

“The Cat Titan, the main aggressor, looked like an adult version of the Baby Titan that Sekko Research had tortured and eventually killed,” Maren said. “We think it might be the baby’s mother and is, possibly, acting out in anger.” 

“The details of the Taken Blessing were never released publicly. How would you know what it looked like, let alone what type of Titan it was?” 

“Because it died in my arms,” Mav said, voice hollow and face mournful. 

Jada went to Mav and gripped his hands. “Thank you, Brother. I can tell you’re a kind soul. The Little Blessing joined Its ancestors in peace.” 

“I’d also like to ask that you tell no one we said this,” Maren said. “We’ve been ordered not to take credit for anything that happened beneath Sekko. It’ll cause us a lot of issues if it’s spread.” 

“I understand,” Jada said. “And I appreciate your willingness to share, despite the... legal pains you might receive if this gets out. As a Supporters Bishop, I’ve seen details of the Little Blessing. So in our initial investigation of the Titans upon the mountain, I will make note of their similarity and propose the theory to Bishop Diego myself.” 

“Thank you,” Maren said. 

Jada called the others back down. Once they all settled in, she addressed them. 

“The job might be less complicated than it initially seemed,” she said. “It may only require us calming the Titans down, which may or may not be a simple endeavor.” 

“Sounds great,” Diego said, resting his hands behind his head. “Always like an easy job. Then y’all can get back to work.” 

Colton, Diego, and Theresa beamed, as if their wildest hopes were coming true. 

“An issue remains,” Jada said. “The fact is, the Titans have taken up residence here. That in itself gives us cause for pause. If they’ve chosen here of all mountains to live, then there must be something sacred here. It likely has something to do with that cave our Wondrous Sister found.” 

“Meaning?” Colton said. 

“If Mount Ergil is a holy sight of the Titans, we will be forced to shut this operation down,” Jada said. 

“We’ve poured too many credits into this for you to shut it down!” Julio said. 

“Julio!” Colton yelled. 

“Let him yell,” Diego said. “Doesn’t stop the truth. If there’s nothing particularly special here and that cave is only man-made and not Titan-made, you can resume work after we bring these Titans peace. If there is something, then it would be heretical to mine through a sacred place. You don’t want to commit heresy, do you?” 

The silence was only broken by Julio’s heavy breathing. 

“Peace, child,” Jada said. “There is much we can do to help, but first we must investigate the situation.” 

“What will you do?” Colton asked, still glaring at Julio. 

“We shall calm the Titans tomorrow, then investigate this cave.” Jada glanced outside, which was dark aside from dim lantern-light. “It is too late to travel the wood and mountainside tonight. It may take several days, but if we find what we expect to find, then we shall have to discuss possible compensation distributions as well as aid your workers in clearing the area.” 

“But... there is a chance we can still work?” Theresa asked. 

“Of course. Nothing is yet set in stone.” 

“But that’s enough talking,” Diego said. “I’m tired, and I’m sure you are too, Sister. We can handle the rest in the morning.” 

Jada nodded, then looked at Maren and Mav. “Siblings, would you honor us in being our guide to the Titans’ location?” 

“Yes,” Mav said. 

“That is, if Colton is kind enough to give us a place to stay,” Maren said. 

“That room is yours for however long you need, Honored Wave Leaper,” Colton said. “Please, stay as long as you need.” 

There was a longing in his eyes, as if pleading Maren to convince the bishops to let the company mine the mountain, regardless of their findings. 

Don’t get your hopes up, Colton. Because the moment these bishops say we can go, we’re out of here. 

“Then let us break for the night and meet on the morrow,” Jada said. “It was lovely meeting all of you. May tomorrow bring the Steadfast Titans’ blessings.”