Tohru had rushed home that evening, muttering something about finding information about the city of sand. Ursula had offered to help him find it, but Tohru was adamant that he could do it on his own. The last thing he said before he rushed off was that it could take a while. Artemis didn't mind - she could take this time to get to know her father.

That morning, Emerson had taken her on a tour of his garden. They stopped at a large hill with a cherry tree on top. Artemis took a moment to admire how big the place was. Stephen never mentioned that her father was rich!

"It's time I teach you something important, Artemis," Emerson turned to her with a smile. "Did you know that learning to fly is an important bonding moment for us Angelions?"

"Can you really call me an Angelion, though?" Artemis muttered, "My mother was human. So... I'm like a hybrid."

Emerson took a moment to think. "Well... I suppose you could see it that way. But, did you know that most of the races you see are actually offshoots from humans? Take Tohru for example. He looks human, doesn't he?"

"He looks like a mutant fish thing," Artemis deadpanned, "What's your point?"

"Most of the time, when a human and someone from another race have a child, the child takes after the non-human," he explained, "Not all of the time, though. I theorise that one day, humans will become extinct. You have Angelion traits. So, I see you as an Angelion. Anyone else would, too. Even if you do try to hide your wings and ears..."

"What about when two non-humans have a child? Does the baby look like a weird mutant mix?" Artemis asked him, "I haven't seen anyone like that yet..."

"They can take after either parent. It would be a bit weird if the two got mixed up," Emerson chuckled nervously. "One day, I'll teach you about it, if you'd like. But more importantly - I wanted to get your flying training started."

Artemis gulped. "Flying?"

"I theorise that since you've never used your wings, you lack the muscle to lift yourself off of the ground," Emerson continued, "Don't worry. I happen to know a few spells that'll help with that. Besides - Angelions can all cast a spell that gives them a gush of wind to help them lift off. Flap your wings for me."

Artemis did so, but didn't feel anything lift her off of the ground. "It's not doing anything," she said.

She heard a giggle and saw MJ approaching them. Artemis had noticed that, like her, MJ preferred to keep her wings hidden. She wondered why - MJ was in a society full of Angelions. Did she not like her wings?

"Sorry," MJ apologised, "It's a little funny, seeing you flap your wings like that. It reminds me of a dog's tail. N-Not to be mean or anything! I think it's cute how you're trying to learn after all this time!"

"Do you have any tips on flying, MJ?" Emerson asked her, "I'm trying to teach Artemis, you see."

"Oh! Um," MJ flinched and glanced back at her own wings. "I... I actually can't fly for long periods at a time. I got into an accident a while back, and it hurt my wings. It hurts like hell when I fall, so I don't fly that much anymore. Prince Ares has forbidden it."

"May I examine your wings?" Emerson tilted his head. "I'm curious to see what sort of injury occurred. Most can be cured via a healer..."

"I-I couldn't see a healer in time," MJ replied before turning to Artemis. "Um. I wanted to ask you something. Can I... come with you?"

"You want to come with us?!" Artemis grinned excitedly. "Sure! Oh, it's pretty dangerous, though. Can you defend yourself?"

"Don't worry. I can use a bow," said MJ, "Anywhere's better than here... Oh! Yeah! That reminds me! Tohru said he found your thing! That's what I originally came here to tell you."

Emerson nodded and began to walk back to his home. "We'd best see where this city of sand is. I do hope it's not that far..."

The others were already waiting for them by the time they got back. Tohru was sitting at the end of the table, an open book in front of him. He beamed in excitement when Artemis arrived.

"He says he's found it," Elyan told them, "He won't tell us anything else. We were waiting for you to get here."

"Did you have fun?" Lilith smiled at them. "Did you learn how to fly yet?"

"Not yet," Artemis replied, "But, more importantly... Tohru, where is it? Where's this city?"

"Maru, right?" Tohru turned his book to face the others and pointed to an illustration. "I believe this is it. South from Direbreak - so, south-west from here. There's an easy way to know that you're going in the right direction, too. Even today, traces of dark magic linger in the area. All you have to do is find the desert, then head towards where you can sense dark magic!"

"That's how to find it - do we have anything on what it's like?" Ursula asked him, "I'd rather be prepared, especially if this was a city of dark magic."

"Um... It says to be careful of the creatures that feast on dark magic," Tohru explained, "I suppose they're attracted to the energy there. But on the city itself? Details are scarce. It used to be a monarchy, yes, but everyone became petrified. You can see the remnants of the people there today. I wonder if there's any way to reverse it...?"

"I can teleport us to Direbreak. If it was near the city, there could be some further clues there," Stephen commented, "We should set out immediately, and prepare for the journey. Dark magic can be strong. It can also attract the wrong types of people. No doubt there's some unique creatures out there."

Artemis glanced down at Azrael in her pocket. "I can't believe we're almost there, Azrael... What are you gonna do when you're no longer tied to me?"

Azrael poked his head out and shrugged. "I dunno. Go on a date with Lilith, probably. We haven't had one in... Actually, I've lost count! Whoops..."

Artemis forced a smile and hoped that he was just joking.

——

The group gathered on the outskirts of Mishi with their supplies. Stephen was about to teleport the group over when a familiar laugh echoed through the area.

Vyllax teleported near the group and snapped his fingers. The ground rumbled, and a large mirror surrounded the group. It trapped them inside - and gave Artemis a headache.

"I said we'd meet again!" Vyllax grinned. "I just had to make sure you couldn't get any help from the city. I'm here for my revenge. After you humiliated me last time, I had to wear a stupid eyepatch. No more!"

"Who's this?" MJ tilted her head. "Some friend of yours?"

"An annoying demon that's intent on taking Artemis and killing us all in the process," Stephen snarled, "He hits for a lot of damage, so our best course of action is to take him down as quickly as possible. We've done it before, and we can do it again."

"I didn't forget you!" Lilith snapped as she charged at Vyllax with her dagger. "You took me away from Azzy and Arty!" She swung her dagger, only to miss as Vyllax sidestepped out of the way.

Elyan stepped away from Vyllax. "Ferjgt," he mumbled, casting a spell that raised his defence.

Artemis loaded an arrow into her bow and fired. She quickly loaded another one and fired again. Both arrows hit Vyllax - luckily for him, she decided to spare his eye.

Tohru jabbed Vyllax with his lance, a radiant glow enveloping the tip. As the attack hit, Vyllax was zapped with a magical energy. "Thanks to that, you won't be able to cast spells for a while," Tohru said gleefully.

"Flaming arrow!" Ursula cried, launching an attack towards Vyllax. It barely scuffed him, doing little damage.

Stephen stepped in front of Artemis protectively. "Cone of cold!" He exclaimed, casting a ray of ice in Vyllax's direction.

Emerson did the same. He attacked Vyllax with his lance, lightning coursing through it. "It's been a while, but I don't forget how to fight that easily!" he quipped.

Vyllax muttered a curse under his breath. His surprise attack wasn't very surprising at all. He summoned his weapon - this time, he had swapped out his scimitar for a greatsword. He charged towards Emerson, swiping at him four times over. Emerson fell to his knees, barely holding onto consciousness.

"Mr Atticus!" MJ cried as she loaded her bow. She fired a shot towards Vyllax, but missed entirely.

Lilith swiped with her dagger, but missed again. Vyllax stuck out his tongue towards her playfully.

"Bunor awacan," Elyan muttered, a thunder of energy coursing through his veins. Lightning attacked Vyllax, briefly shocking him.

Artemis loaded her bow and fired again. It seemed a lot safer to attack Vyllax from a distance. Both of her arrows hit, much to her delight.

"Magic missile!" Tohru exclaimed, three balls of energy flying towards Vyllax. They hit him square on the chest, fizzling out as they did so.

"Fire bolt!" Ursula grinned, a ball of flame shooting from her hand towards Vyllax. It hit, but Vyllax resisted most of the damage.

Stephen turned to a wounded Emerson and muttered a curse under his breath. "Ice storm!" He snarled, launching a fury of ice towards Vyllax.

Vyllax stumbled and collapsed, his hands shaking due to the sudden freezing temperatures. "Wh-What... how? Why is there more of you?! I barely even managed to get a hit! I even upgraded my weapon! I could've easily have killed that man with one hit!"

"Maybe you'll leave Arty alone from now on!" Lilith grumbled, raising her dagger once more. "One demon isn't a match for all of us!"

Vyllax glared at her before disappearing into a red portal. Artemis sighed in relief. That battle seemed a lot easier compared to the last one. Perhaps it had something to do with how much Vyllax was outnumbered.

"I doubt he was expecting so many of us," Stephen deduced, "But we should be careful - he won't take us on without help again. No doubt he'll bring in some sort of heavy attacker..."

"C-Can we go now?" Artemis mumbled, "I want to get out of here before he finds us again..."

"Don't worry," Elyan smiled at her. "I'll protect you-"

"I will, too!" MJ chimed in, "He was no match for us! Don't worry about it, Artemis!"

"I don't suppose you could heal me before we set off, Stephen?" Emerson chuckled. "Or do I have to poke myself with my weapon over and over?"

"Poke yourself... with your weapon?" Tohru stared up at him with confusion. "Does your weapon have magical properties? Mine does - it disables the ability to cast spells. I used it successfully against your friend."

"If it touches an ally, it heals them. The weapon is called Caduceus," he explained, "It can only be held by my bloodline. So, Artemis..."

"Oh. But I already have a weapon - Selin," Artemis held up her weapon. "It's from Dr Cosmas' side of the family. Lilith's husband once held it! It's super old!"

"It's a multi-purpose weapon," Stephen elaborated, "I'm sure we could get her some lance training if you want, Emerson. But for now, let me heal you."

From what Artemis could remember, Direbreak was build on the remains of a mine. The inhabitants all lived underground. Stephen had been there a few times and studied the rare diseases that popped up - he theorised it was because of the lack of sun. She wasn't expecting anything glamorous. Besides, they wouldn't be staying there for long. They had to head to Maru. Wherever that was.