“Things are looking pretty good at CC Corp.” Diego looked out the open window from his hospital bed, frowning. A skyscraper across the street dominated the sight. “My priests think it’s alright to start plotting places for them to mine. The Supporters, however, seem to want to inspect every inch of that mountain, in case there’s another sacred hovel.” 

“Wouldn’t Eonok and the others have communed about more dwellings?” Maren asked. 

Diego threw his arms up. “Exactly! But nope. The word of the divine apparently isn’t good enough for the Supporters. And since it’s a joint operation, we can’t let CC Corp work until we all give approval.” 

Maren smirked. When both bishops had come to CC Corp’s campsite, Maren had gotten the impression Diego didn’t much care for Jada, but was professional enough to keep his feelings in check. In private, he was far more loose-lipped. 

“But they’ve found nothing sacred in the mountain,” Mav said, hopeful. “And they likely won’t, right?” 

“Yup,” Diego said. “But the Supporters are taking a break from the investigation soon and won’t pick it up again until after the Celebration of the Law-Maker in a few days. And since word got out that Thekon’s a Leviathan Titan, the Quenchers want a say in this, too.” 

Maren bit her lip. ‘Leviathan’ was the basic designation given to Titans and Wielders who could control both Land and Water. They were nourishers of plant life, usually trees, grass, and flowers. Maren always yearned to be a Leviathan, one that was closer to the sea, who could replenish coral and various forms of sea plants. Sadly, she’d yet to evolve; Land-type powers hadn’t mingled with her Gift. 

But it would happen! She knew it, despite the fact that most Dual-Wielders awakened to their full potential before their sixteenth birthday and she was already two years past that. 

“But... it’s still looking good,” Mav said. 

Diego sighed. “It’s also looking like it’s going to be a while before they can mine.” 

“Will the employees be provided for, in the interim?” Maren asked. 

Diego nodded. “My temple is procuring funds to help keep them in the air. And we’re strong-arming the Supporters to do the same, since they’re the ones stopping them from working. If the Quenchers come in, we’ll make them pitch in, too. Maybe that’ll keep them away and we can finish this whole investigation quicker. Then again, the Quenchers would be the easiest to convince to donate for the employees.” 

Of which Maren had no doubt each sect had more than enough to provide for CC Corp. With all the tithes they’d hoarded over the last several hundreds of years, they could probably sustain their own economy nearly indefinitely. 

“Thanks for the info,” Maren said. 

“Yeah,” Mav said. “It’s good to know, even if it’s slower than I want.” 

“Glad to help,” Diego said. “You two saved all of our lives back at the complex and brought Eonok peace. Those are debts that can’t be repaid. I’ll help wherever I can.” 

“We appreciate it,” Maren said. “And we do have a... curiosity, we’d like answered. What’s with the Serene situation?” 

Diego blinked, then laughed. “Trying to save the world a bit at a time? I love it.” 

“It’s the perks of a traveling guild!” Mav exclaimed. 

Diego laughed some more, then sobered. “Before I share anything, I highly suggest that you keep yourselves out of this venture.” 

“Because of the Peace Keepers?” Maren asked. 

“It’s good you keep yourself informed.” 

“I try my best.” 

“They also threatened to kick us out of the city,” Mav said. 

“Of course they did,” Diego said. “When did you run into them?” 

“Serene blew up a Wilkins’ semi,” Maren said. “I caught the perps and Mav saved the civilians.” 

Diego shook his head with a bemused smile. “Trouble follows you everywhere.” 

“What if we’re the ones following trouble?” Mav looked so proud of himself. 

“In any case, stay in Yoularnon as long as you want. But please, don’t get involved with Serene, not without the Peace Keepers’ backing. Serene’s become dangerous, lately.” 

“Lately?” Maren asked. 

“They’ve been around for years,” Diego said. “They were designated as a terrorist group, but they really weren’t that bad. The most that ever got hurt were a few slashed tires and graffitied warehouses. 

“Until a few weeks ago. Suddenly, they get fire power. Bombings have destroyed property and injured people. It’s hard to track down because they’re random with no pattern. The opposite from those kidnappings in Linick two weeks ago. I’m assuming you’ve heard of that?” 

“Oh yeah,” Maren said, shooting Mav a warning glance to stay quiet. 

Their names hadn’t been released to the public. It was a part of their deal to keep them away from legal action. Sure, she’d planned it well so her involvement looked like happenstance, but a smart lawyer could still drag her through the courts for years. So to go free, no one outside the incident could know what they’d done. That was how the government phrased it for her, but Maren knew the larger reason for her invented lack of involvement was so the Peace Keepers could claim credit for what happened beneath Sekko.

Regardless, Maren took the hush order seriously. She’d even sent Diego away at the CC Corp facility because, as an Autonomous bishop, he likely hadn’t heard details of what had happened beneath Sekko like Jada would have.

But of course, Mav wasn’t looking at her. “We solved that case!” 

“Mav!” 

Mav’s eyes popped. “I mean, we didn’t solve it!” 

A weak chuckle, an itchy back of the head. Maren hid her face in her hand. 

“Please, Bishop Diego,” Maren pleaded. “Please don’t tell anyone.” 

For his part, Diego looked like he was putting pieces of a difficult puzzle together. “Is this what you told Bishop Jada at CC Corp? The sensitive topic no one but her could hear?” 

“Yeah.” 

“Makes sense now.” Then Bishop Diego laughed. “How does this keep happening to you?” 

Maren sighed. “I’d like a quiet week, but like Mav said, we follow trouble.” 

“You have my word, this stays with me. Even knowing that, I still think you should steer clear from Serene. They have a lot of firepower, but don’t know how to use it. They’re like a toddler who’s found his father’s gun.” 

“So, dangerous and stupid?” Mav asked. 

“Reminds me of someone I know,” Maren said, smirking at Mav. 

“Hey! How am I dangerous?” 

A smile flitted over Diego’s lips. “They have deadly force now and they don’t know what they’re doing with it. Someday soon, I’m afraid people will get more than hurt.” 

“So why shouldn’t we stop them before it gets worse?” Mav asked. 

“A violent act against them could make them retaliate in kind,” Maren said. “A rushed bombing could have unintended casualties.” 

“I’m also worried about you two,” Diego said. “Incredible feats notwithstanding, a child with a gun is dangerous. It matters not how well-trained you are, the child only has to point the gun and accidentally pull the trigger to kill you.” 

The door burst open. Maren flinched, stepping back. Mav, however, rushed toward the door, flame in his left hand, ready to strike. 

But only a scrawny young man with wavy brown hair and religious garb – robe of sky blue, similar to Deigo’s, only less resplendent with no skin displayed – burst into the room. He came in so fast he tripped into Mav’s right hand. 

“Mav,” Maren said. 

Mav scrunched his face, realized this guy posed no threat, then extinguished the flame. 

“Paul?” Diego said, leaning forward. “What’s the problem.” 

“Oh, thank the Eternal Titans you two are still here,” the stranger, Paul, breathed. 

“You were looking for us?” Maren asked. 

“Heard there was an unofficial guild here taking jobs,” Paul said, standing on his own. 

“We are,” Maren said, slowly. 

Paul licked his lips, glanced at Diego, then gulped. “I have one. My best friend is flying too high. I need your help to bring him down before the Wall Titans devour him.” 

“Calm down, Paul,” Diego said. “And enough with the metaphors. Speak clearly. What’s JJ doing?” 

Paul took a deep breath. “He said he’s going to take down Serene. All by himself.”