Greene wasn't sure why he had returned here. After calling the Captain, the smartest decision would've been to return to headquarters. Yet, he had remained here, compelled by curiosity, glancing around himself as he walked through the Seraphu District. He turned his gaze to the warehouses that humans occupied, going about their day, oblivious of the world that lay beneath their feet.

  If only you knew…would you treat us differently?

  Shaking his head at that notion, Greene hastened, determined to find the security booth that contained the colossal Ethero Fiend. He wanted to uncover more information on the Lieutenant's dealings with Barbatos, find out what those horrifying monsters were. The thought of them sent a shiver through him, half expecting the monsters to be following him now, ready to cut him down as soon as he turned. A quick glance behind revealed nothing but humans, driving vehicles between warehouses, and he heard the sounds of machines working all around him.

  C'mon…Where is it?

  He happened upon a warehouse that appeared familiar to him then; one that, unlike all the others, was void of any activity. When he saw this, Greene couldn't help but notice how obviously it stood out. For a moment, he stared towards it, procrastination taking over him. A few seconds later, the door to the security booth opened and the Ethero Fiend stepped out, its powerful figure still covered with a large cloak, its head remaining shrouded. Greene regarded the creature and hoped that he wasn't revealing his fear, forcing himself to step forward. The Ethero Fiend remained silent, showing no sign of emotion. Greene cast his gaze to the black void that represented its face, gulping before nodding to himself.

  'Duischk iashk uolka,' he said, praying that he had heard the words right. The Fiend, however, said nothing. He remained standing, stoic and statue-like, staring down towards him, as though trying to study every nuance of his being, even reading his mind. Greene hoped it wasn't capable of such abilities, finding himself still able to stare up to the black abyss that was the Ethero Fiend's shrouded face.

  'Did I utter the words wrong?' he asked, feeling stupid for having done so in his own language. Yet, the colossal being shook his head, surprising Greene.

  'No,' the Fiend then growled, its voice sounding deeper than the chasm beneath them. It was as though a great and terrifying monster lurked within the cloak. Greene sought to steel himself while trying to figure why his words had gained such a response, his mind drawing on blanks until he reached an impasse.

  'What is the problem?' he asked.

  The Fiend appeared to consider this. 'There is no problem,' it said, causing Greene's frown to deepen, wondering where to take this conversation. He couldn't threaten it, or use his powers as a DFA agent. The only law that existed here was the one the Lieutenant had demonstrated against Imperi. Greene didn't wish to resort to that.

  'I'm here to see Barbatos. He has information I might need.'

  The Fiend nodded, as though agreeing. 'He is…not to be trusted,' it said, before turning its gaze away from him, looking ahead. The action conjured the image in Greene's mind of the Lieutenant's monsters creeping towards him, causing him to shiver.

  Oh Divinity, I pray that is not the case, Greene thought, closing his eyes, trying to extinguish the image from his mind. The Fiend returned its gaze to him.

  'You come alone, Titanius?'

  'Yes.'

  'Why? No Lieutenant?'

  That question surprised Greene a little, wondering why the Fiend would ask.

  There's so much I don't understand. Somehow, I know it's linked with the place beneath our feet, with Barbatos and Newman.

  The thought of that name also gave him pause, prompting him to eye the Fiend before realising that he was calming in the creature's presence.

  'What do you think of the Lieutenant?' he asked.

  'Lieutenant…is not liked. Strength keeps him alive. He works with Barbatos, but many believe he's a puppet on a string. Barbatos is dangerous. He connected to the Ether.'

  'The Ether?' Greene asked, his frown returning.

  'Ancient power, my kind worships. Goddess.'

  'Goddess? Goddess of what?'

  'Goddess of creation.'

  Greene didn't know what to say, electing to say nothing. He watched as the colossal Fiend turned his enormous body towards the security booth, reaching for something inside.

  'I shall allow you to enter,' it said, before Greene heard a switch being flicked. The floor jolted beneath him before he noticed himself begin the descent. He looked behind to see if any humans had watched the interaction, knowing he'd find no sign of them. Satisfied with this, he returned his gaze towards the slowly rising Ethero Fiend.

  'Thank you,' he said.

  'Be careful,' the Fiend replied.

  Greene emerged into The Place That Doesn't Exist a few moments later, noting the many eyes that regarded him as he headed towards the multiple rings of buildings and stalls. He struggled to recall where the Lieutenant had gone to find Barbatos's little shop, except that it was somewhere near the spire that held the tiny sun. There were many unusual stalls around him as he walked. Some stocked weapons, while others were more fashion orientated. They were filled with silks and clothing that he knew humans would love, lavish bright colours that screamed for the attention of everyone who passed by. There were also mechanical shops that appeared to deal with body augments, mostly for the Cybernetics. However, there were other races he could see taking advantage. Greene didn't want to consider the surgery required to do so, forcing himself to focus his attention away from them and continue on his path.

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  It's a black market, he considered, making sure not to stare at anyone. A black market humans aren't aware of. Yet, how have they remained a secret here? How has no one discovered this place by accident? How did they come upon those pills which we found at the Dreamhouse?

  Greene almost walked into a Cybernetic who stood barring his way. She possessed a slim female form and regarded him with a scowl. While he wouldn't have given her a single thought, a part of him told to stop, returning her look with a measured expression. From his observations, only half of her face and one arm were human flesh; the rest was mechanical, including a single glowing red eye.

  'Can I help you?' Greene asked, placing his palms against each other while turning his head, a gesture he had learnt translated into wanting to find a peaceful solution. The Cybernetic women looked unimpressed, folding her arms across her chest.

  'You're attracting attention,' she said, her voice possessing a slight robotic tinge.

  'I'm not surprised,' Greene answered, figuring that this conversation was also being listened to by everyone around them, even if they appeared distracted. 'Could you point me towards Barbatos? I wish to see him.'

  The Cybernetic's scowl deepened at that, as though the mere mention of his name disgusted her.

  'You're a fool, Titanius,' she hissed, while Greene forced himself to remain neutral.

  'I cannot help what I am,' he said.

  'No, but you can help the fact you're here.'

  Greene could sense the direction this conversation was heading, remembering how the Lieutenant had acted here.

  'I'm here because I want answers. If you dislike that, then it is your problem rather than mine.'

  Much to Greene's surprise, the Cybernetic smiled at that, her eyes flickering to his right.

  'Actually, you may find that others share my concern.'

  'Is that a threat?' Greene asked, a question that seemed to prompt her smile to grow.

  'Are you that simple?' she asked, causing him to regard her half-surprised. Confused by her, Greene turned in the direction she had glanced and noticed two Ethero Fiends eyeing him as they stood alongside a weapons stall. He forced himself to remain impassive, realising what the Cybernetic was doing.

  'I understand now,' he said, turning to her. 'Thank you.'

  'They've been watching you ever since you got here,' she said, her face relaxing. 'I've been…'

  'Yes,' Greene said. 'They don't like newcomers.'

  'Most of us don't like newcomers,' the Cybernetic admitted. 'But they are especially dangerous. You should get out of here before—'

  The Cybernetic didn't get to finish her sentence, as Greene sensed the creeping presence of someone approaching, turning in the direction where the Ethero Fiends had been. Somehow, they had traversed the distance between them without a single footstep, now standing within arm's reach as their gazes bore into him. They stood a good few inches taller as they leaned forward, their black abysses of eyes regarding him hungrily.

  'Leave,' the one on the right said, his voice containing restraint. His skin was ghostly white, as were his teeth and fangs, which he bared. His body was lean and muscular, revealed in an open black leather jacket that was almost reminiscent of the attire the Hateful wore. A black spectral essence trailed behind them, fading away like wisps of smoke from a candle. Greene figured this was part of their own power, different from the Blessings of the Divinity and the power his own Life Essence gave him.

  'Why does my presence concern you?' he asked, despite feeling as though he knew the answer.

  'You come from the surface,' the other Fiend answered, baring its teeth.

  'I do, but that doesn't mean that I harbour any ill intent.'

  'But you work for them…the humans…'

  'I have no intention of revealing this place to anyone,' Greene replied, hoping that was the main reason the Fiends were confronting him. He then wondered if a little personal anecdote might help in his persuasion. 'I already know what it feels like to endure human judgement. I wouldn't wish the same upon any of you.'

  'You submit to them. All of your kind does. You are nothing more than their pawn,' the right one said, making the young officer twitch with how deep those words cut. It didn't prevent a realisation from dawning on him.

  'You have no intention of letting me walk out of here, do you?' Greene surmised, watching as smiles curved around both Fiends' faces. They opened their hands and contorted their fingers, unleashing silvery metal nails, which could no doubt cause some serious damage. Greene, however, remained impassive, regarding them coldly.

  'You do not want this,' he said. 'I harbour no violent intent.'

  'Somehow, I don't think they care about that,' the Cybernetic woman sighed behind him. Greene decided not to make the mistake of looking back, sensing the imminent threat. He smiled towards the two Fiends, opening his right palm before summoning some of his own Life Essence to it, making it glow while a hum emerged with increasing loudness. Before the Fiends understood what he was doing, he unleashed part of his power in a discharge of light blue energy, striking both Fiends, who screamed while shrinking away.

  'Are you really picking a fight with both of them?' the Cybernetic woman said, stepping past Greene while knocking him with a slap of her hand, her face incredulous. However, this only lasted for a second or two, before she smiled as she stood alongside him, appearing to shift her right arm into a small blade.

  'Well…two against one ain't fair, anyway,' she said.