Johan kicked open the front door, Greed hanging off him and Frey quickly followed behind them, and came to an abrupt stop just outside. His eyes ran over the fighting in the street.

  Nobody had noticed them yet, too busy with their fights. So far they seemed to be winning, Envy’s soldiers vastly outnumbering the guards but Johan knew it was just a matter of time before the enemy had time to assemble.

  Johan eyed the buildings around them. Most of them were apartments, and every single one of them had movement from deities peering out at the commotion. None made any move to join though, but Johan didn’t expect them to.

  Well, now it was time for the deities to prove their worth, all Johan had to do was to give them the invitation to fight.

  “Ready?” Johan asked and lowered his stance, a wide grin spreading across his face as power rushed through him.

  Frey only managed to turn to him questioningly before Johan grabbed a hold of him and the ground beneath them moved. Jagged pieces of rock pierced the pavement and spread like waves around them, stabbing high into the air as the fights broke up to terrified and startled screams.

  The ground lifted beneath them and Frey immediately picked up on what Johan was doing. The second the ground stilled he ripped out of Johan’s grip and ran right up to the edge and with no hesitation, started to yell.

  “Ladies and gentlemen!” Johan barely refrained from grimacing as Frey motioned to him. “The king!”

  It got the job done however. The street fell quiet. All fighting stopped and they all turned to stare in shock. Deities gaped out of open windows and soon murmuring started happening.

  “The king?”,

  “Fate is actually here?”,

  “What about that speech?”,

  “He changed his mind!”

  Johan ignored it all and took a step forward. “Deities of heaven! It’s time to fight!”

  Some deities would go on to say that Johan was a man of few words, none of them knew that Johan would rather face an overgrown grassman again than interact with a deity for even a second more than absolutely necessary.

  A loud roar came from the ground as he let it collapse beneath them.

  “That’s it?!” Frey yelled as they fell.

  “Woah, woah! Hey!” Greed yelled in alarm as Johan hoised him up into his arms, bridalstyle.

  That’s when the deities noticed who else was there.

  “Is that Greed?!”,

  “What happened to him?!”

  Johan hit the ground running and lifted the earth before them, creating them a protected path as the fighting started up again. Frey followed closely behind, yelling and screaming insults as he did.

  Deities were pouring out of their apartments now and picking fights with the closest guards, just in time for the enemy’s reinforcements to invade the street.

  “Johan! This way!” Gluttony was standing in the same alley as earlier, waving at them wildly.

  Without any hesitation, Johan ran for her, ducking out of the way as a sword swung over his head.

  “Would it kill you to be a little more gentle?” Frey yelled after him when Greed made a noise and clutched Johan’s cloak even tighter than he had been. Johan ignored them both in favor of focusing on the task at hand. They reached where Gluttony waved them through and they burst out into the street at the other end of the alley. Deities were flocking together in the streets but as soon as they saw who was coming, they quickly parted way, cheering and yelling after them.

  “He’s really here!”

  “Fate is here!”

  “Hah, I knew he’d come running!”

  “Greed is free!”

  “Heaven is ours!”

  “We win these!”

  It seemed like the enemy was following them because it didn’t take long for the reinforcements to swarm this street too, coming in from all sides.

  Before Johan could even think to do anything about them though, the deities acted. Loud roars came as they set their targets and attacked, lights flashing as weapons came to existence, loud clashing of metals and all the rainbow’s colors lighting up as powers were used. It was obvious most of them weren’t used to fighting, yet they were creative with their efforts and that was enough. All together they formed a kind of barrier to keep the enemy at bay as the three of them ran through the street.

  Frey gasped and Johan looked back to see him doubling over while running, hand clutching his stomach. Johan had seen this before. His copy died.

  “Keep running!” Frey yelled. “Storm is coming!”

  Johan’s breath caught in his throat and sped up. As curious as he was about Storm’s powers he would rather not fight him with Greed in his arms, clinging to his cloak for dear life.

  As if reading his mind Greed spoke up. “I shouldn’t be in the fray. My powers work better at a distance.”

  “I couldn’t agree more.” Johan muttered to himself. He needed to get rid of Greed, but how? As he ran he could see every deity watching him. Wonder, amazement, shock, anger, whatever they felt as he ran past them. It didn’t matter, Johan couldn’t tell the enemy apart from allies, not amongst the deities, and he couldn’t let them know where he brought Greed.

  Yet standing still was not an option.

  Suddenly a guard sprang out from the alley Johan was going for. He quickly turned on his heel only to find another guard quickly approaching them.

  Damn. Johan turned back but even then faced another guard.

  He skid to a stop as the enemy surrounded them, slowly backing up until his back hit Frey’s with nowhere else to go. Unlike Envy’s soldiers, the guards weren’t wearing anything on their heads so there was nothing hiding as each and every one of them stared at Johan, the wind starting to blow through the street.

  Johan sneered and let Greed’s feet touch the ground in favor of summoning his dagger. The wind was growing stronger and stronger, his hair whipping against his face.

  “He’s here!!” Frey yelled over the wind and Johan’s head jerked around to look back, gritting his teeth at the sharp wind. He didn’t see anyone. “Look up!”

  His jaw dropped.

  Storm was floating above the roof of the red building behind them. Johan’s eyes widened in shock as he watched the pale teen in the sky. His mind raced. Since when could the kid fly?!

  Johan shook his head in an attempt to get the hair out of his eyes as Frey crowded him back a step. “Storm is here!”

  “Fate!” Johan gaped at the roaring deep voice. Storm was only sixteen! His cheeks were still just as round as four years ago!

  Storm’s white hair and clothes floated gently around him as he descended towards the ground. Pale blue eyes glowerd at Johan, not leaving him for a second.

  More guards pressed through the crowd, creating a path between Johan and Storm. Johan adjusted his grip on Greed, turning them both around, and let his ribbon down into his palm below the handle of the dagger.

  Storm took a step forward, eyes flickered to Greed for a second before going back to Johan. “You should know better than to come back. There is nothing here for you now.” Storm said coolly. “Give Greed to me and leave Heaven at once.”

  “Aw, does someone not want to work today?” Johan forced a grin, heart pounding in his chest. He let the grin fall. “If there was nothing here for me, I wouldn’t be here.”

  Those pale blue eyes ran over Johan past white eyelashes. Watching, staring, searching for weakness.

  Then finally Storm looked away. A quiet sigh. Then his eyes snapped back up, now with a white glow slowly taking over.

  “That is unacceptable.” Storm declared and summoned his saber, pointing it at them. “Guards, bring me Greed.”

  Johan widened his stance and the enemy charged. He easily dodged a sword but quickly realized he couldn’t do much more while supporting Greed.

  “Frey!” He called out and dropped to his knees, forcing a protesting Greed down next to him. Frey flashed around them, creating more space for them.

  “Jump!” He yelled and looked up to see Frey bash two guards’ heads into each other, before sending out his ribbons. Dozens of guards fell all around them, screaming as their ankles were wiped out.

  But it wasn’t enough. As one fell, twice as many ran into the street. Johan breathed as he watched the guards keep coming and got to his feet. Before long guards were littering the ground, making it hard to move around, but still more and more kept coming.

  “We need to get away!” Greed yelled as Johan jumped up and clashed with yet another sword. He and Frey were knocking them out left and right, protecting Greed where he was still on the ground.

  Johan eyed Storm, but the kid just stood there and watched.

  Johan sneered and as with a yell he kicked the next guard that attacked him. The scrawny guy hit the ground hard and Greed yelled as the head bounced on the ground right in front him.

  Johan paused, eyes widening. Right where the guard had stood, where all the enemies had previously formed a blockade, there was now only an open street.

  There it was. His chance.

  He scooped Greed up and ran.

  “Johan!” They didn’t get far before suddenly Greed threw himself in Johan’s grip, sending them both to the ground.

  His head snapped back as they fell, just in time to see a flash of white eyes reflecting in the clear metal of Stom’s saber as he swung it down through the air.

  CLANG!

  Johan sprawled hard on his back, gasping as Greed landed right on top of him and forced all the air out of his body.

  He forced his eyes open against rough coughing and pushed himself up to his elbows, ready to-

  Silence fell.

  Wide eyed, Johan looked around him. From where he sat, all he could see were dozens of bunny-eared hoodies surrounding him and Greed like a wall.

  The middle Frey, the one that was intercepting Storm’s saber with a dagger, glanced back at Johan in concern. Then when he saw they were fine he turned back and straightened up.

  “You’re not touching them.” With a hard push he sent the saber flying through the air, forcing Storm to take a big step back with a deep sneer on his face. Johan watched as the blade disappeared in a flash of light.

  “And you will stop me?” Storm challenged, a wild look in his eyes. “A million of you would not be able to stop me!”

  For a second everything went silent.

  Then all the copies laughed in unison. Loud and shrill, some even slapping their thighs at how funny they found it and Johan jolted at the noise, the hair on the back of his neck standing up. He forced himself back on his feet and quickly pulled Greed up beside him, the Freys behind him helping.

  Frey ducked his head and Johan could just barely see a smile. “Good thing it’s not just me then.”

  Storm sucked in a sharp breath and took a step back.

  Some random guard wasn’t happy at his silence. “What are you waiting for? They’re right here, we can get them!”

  The guards all agreed and started to move but fell still as Storm raised his arm.

  “Stop.” They all froze at the command. Johan saw Storm’s frown deepening as he looked past him.

  Silence fell over them and Johan strained his ears. He couldn’t hear anything but the guards shuffling and armor clinking. The distant sound of fighting too low over the loud wind still blowing around them. Hushed murmurs soon started in the crowd, wondering why Storm stopped, and Johan eyed the restless guards suspiciously. Specifically the one that yelled for action. The man was clearly a new recruit, despite his older age, he was holding his sword with a clenched fist as his eyes flickered from copy to copy.

  Johan could see the exact moment he decided to attack.

  Frey’s copy turned to look back at Johan for just a second but it was enough. The guard took that as an opportunity and yelled as he charged forward, sword held in front of him like a lance.

  The sound of rushing water.

  Johan watched as a pillar of water engulfed the guard just a split second before the point of his sword could stab Frey. The water stopped him in his place and for a moment it seemed like he didn’t realize what was going on, his feet still running yet not going anywhere. The confusion was quickly followed by realization, and panic colored his face.

  If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  Johan flinched as a bright light flashed and when he opened his eyes again the water was gone. The guard hit the ground with a wet thud and loud thunder rumbled overhead.

  That part wasn’t Sloth.

  “Repulsive.” Storm spoke harshly. “Remember this! A dog that can’t follow orders will be put down!”

  Dog? Johan understood the kid was young, but to call fellow deities-

  Oh. Johan blanched. Storm wouldn’t call a deity that.

  “What the-” Johan muttered and looked around, many of the guards looked scared, and suddenly he realized why he only recognized some of them.

  They were humans. Probably here for money and fame.

  Johan stared in horror.

  Then paused, thinking.

  …Huh.

  Well, whatever. Deity or not, they were still in his way.

  Johan turned around as a black-clad man approached through the shadows of wind caging them in.

  Sloth was finally here.

  Frey’s copies disappeared one by one as Sloth strolled up, hands in his pockets and not a tense muscle in his body even as his hair whipped around in the strong wind.

  Johan frowned when he saw what Sloth was wearing. The hoodie had been discarded and instead he was wearing a tight crop top showing abs that Johan didn’t even know existed. But somehow that wasn’t the most surprising part.

  Johan didn’t know he had tattoos. Bright blue lines appeared gradually down his arms until they reached his wrists, where his hands glowed completely blue.

  “I’ll take it from here.” Sloth said cooly, stepping right past Johan with only a short, emotionless glance at Greed before turning to meet Frey’s eyes. The only Frey left. The two of them shared a look of utter disgust and annoyance at the sight of each other.

  And as if on cue they both turned towards Storm.

  “You can leave.” Sloth drawled and Frey huffed indignantly, crossing his arms. “As if you could take him on alone.”

  Johan watched as Frey turned back to him. “Johan, go. We’ll take care of this.”

  Another Frey appeared behind Johan, tugging Greed free. “I’ll take Greed from here, just focus on finding Thomas.” The copy tok off before yelling back at him. “Come on! They’ll take care of Storm!”

  “But...” Johan watched as copy Frey ran off with Greed on his back, Johan’s own arms suddenly empty. He looked to Sloth hesitantly but was pointedly ignored.

  “Ok!” He finally decided and with a turn of his heel, he was running up the street after copy-Frey as the fighting behind him resumed louder than before.

  Two walls of water quickly overtook him on both sides, lifting high in the air before falling down like heavy waves, taking both enemies and allies down with it as it cleared a path for him.

  The wind was coming in even stronger now, and hail was pelting him from under dark clouds as he pushed forward, almost slipping on the frozen ground. Then he broke through the wall, feet hitting dry pavement and stumbling forward a few steps as the howling wind suddenly stopped pushing him.

  He glanced back. Frey was fighting alone in the middle of it all, taking down guard after guard while other deities fought around him. No Sloth or Storm in sight. Judging by Frey’s expression though, they were not losing.

  Then the wind let up just enough to let Johan to see Storm flying backwards into the wall of a building, and Sloth landing heavily on his feet near Frey. A rogue soldier moved to attack him but only a split second later Frey appeared behind him and slit his throat, face cold in concentration. Then the wind picked back up again, this time strong enough to even hide Frey from sight as it ripped pieces of buildings apart, swimming in the strong wind.

  Johan gritted his teeth. Frey better survive!

  He turned the corner into the next street and barely managed to catch up to the other Frey holding Greed before-

  “Oh shit!” Frey shrieked.

  BOOM

  For a second Johan was weightless. Then he hit the ground. His arms shielded his head as his body bounced at the impact and he went skidding against the pavement before finally coming to a stop on the other end of the street.

  He gasped for air, laying curled up on the empty street, his ears ringing as he squinted to see past the black smoke, the distant sounds of fighting slowly fading back in.

  Where was Frey?

  He tried to push himself up and immediately fell over with a hiss, tears of pain welling up in his eyes. He looked down to see his sleeves had been torn and his forearms were red and raw, only spared underneath the ribbons. He hissed again as the burning started. He shut his eyes and swallowed, taking a deep, calming breath. Then pushed himself up to his elbows, drops of blood running down his hands.

  Damn it. Using his ribbon now would be a mess.

  What happened? The black smoke was slowly dispersing around him, and his eyes snapped to blonde hair.

  Frey was on one knee, protectively leaning over Greed and frantically tapping his hand to the side of his head. When he turned, Johan could see red lines running down from his ears.

  Frey caught his eyes and quickly gestured for his ears before swiping a hand over his throat. Johan swallowed and turned to where the explosion came from.

  A shadow stalked towards them behind the veil of smoke. Johan tok a few more calming breaths before he pushed himself up to his knees, and just then, a black heel broke through the smoke, soon followed by a long pale leg and red fabric.

  Oh goddamn it, Johan’s breath hitched. Damn it! Didn’t those people have something better to do?! Those damn sins, what were they even doing?! Why was Johan meeting all the strong enemies?!

  Carlotta stalked closer.

  Was it too much to ask that she was on their side? They just got away from Storm and now another one of the strongest deities was going to try to kill them?!

  She turned to Frey and Greed.

  Johan staggered to his feet and grabbed the closest thing to him- a big roofslate- and threw it.

  Carlotta’s head snapped back as it hit her right in the forehead and for a second Johan felt relief. Then she turned to him.

  Carlotta stared at him, fury on her face. With jerky movements she wiped the blood. Johan backed away slowly but she didn’t take the bait. Instead she gave him an amused smile before turning back, eyes passing over Frey to look at Greed.

  “So the mouse had escaped his trap.” She mused.

  “Good to see you too.” Greed wheezed behind Frey’s protective figure, clutching his ribs.

  “An explosion? Really?!” Johan yelled, his arms throbbing. He let his ribbons fall into his hands, winching slightly as they wrapped tightly around his wounds. “How is that fair?!”

  “You are hurt.” She said stone faced, then gave a pleased smile. “Good, that will make it all the easier to kill you.”

  Johan tok a step back in surprise.

  “Who should I take first?” Her finger tapped her chin thoughtfully. “The dog, the master…or Fate? Hmm. “ She turned to Johan. “Why, you look like a disaster waiting to happen. I doubt you could control your powers after suffering a loss. Let me tell you one thing, child. This city will survive you.”

  Johan’s eyes widened.

  “You know you can’t kill him.” Greed said, interrupting her.

  “I know no such thing.” She laughed.

  “There is no successor, Heaven won’t survive it.” Johan’s head snapped to Greed in shock.

  Carlotta paused with a frown. “Capture then.” She launched at Johan, sword appearing in a burst of light. “You will not leave this city again!”

  Capture?! Oh that was so much worse than death!

  Johan jumped back, dodging the attack but not without the fire burning at his cloak. He yelped as the heat turned up, the metal clasps of his cloak burning into his skin.

  “Can’t you see how stupid this all is?!” Johan yelled. “And what about Nora?”

  Mentioning Gluttony was meant to make her think, but Carlotta only laughed darkly. It did, however, work better than the roofslate, seemingly making her lose all interest in the other two.

  “My daughter would like me to be on your side. But she will get over it.” Carlotta slashed at him again but Johan quickly dodged. “She has grown into a competent, young woman. Yet she keeps those same ideas you younglings do.” She tsk’d in disappointment. “Revolution and war. She will learn that not every fight can be won with blood, and she will understand with time that this is the best way. This war will stop once you…are taken.”

  “You can’t actually believe that?!” Johan snapped. “You think I did this?! I didn’t ask anyone to fight! I’m not here to take the city, I’m here to kill Thomas!”

  Well, that was the plan now, anyways.

  Carlotta’s face twitched. It was barely there, but it was enough. Johan pushed. “Do you want Thomas to live?”

  “Oh, please.” Carlotta snarled. “Of course I don’t! A murder spree to take over Heaven just to get Greed? Killing Life and Death, leaving us all to lose the humans’ faith? Ridiculous! But this is not the way either. Killing a third of the population in a revolution to gain back control is not the solution!”

  Oh, ok. So she wanted people to live, and without Johan there, the deities wouldn’t fight, they would be sitting unhappily at home, wishing for the courage to fight, but they would be alive.

  And she was ready to blame Johan for all of it. As if he cared whether they fought or not.

  “Lady.” Johan started and gestured angrily around him. “I didn’t start this. If you can think of any other way for me to live peacefully without him dying then please tell me, and I’ll leave right now.”

  That seemed to be the wrong thing to say.

  “Live peacefully? You! After what you have brought my daughter into!” Carlotta sneered, all rationality gone like the wind. Johan jumped as fire encircled them, separating them from everyone else, even Frey and Greed.

  He was stuck now, there was no way to go. He looked around wildly for any way out but there was nothing in range of his ribbon and the fire was way too high for him to jump over. The air was getting stuffy, smoke filling the circle.

  “I didn’t bring her into anything!” He coughed, hiding his nose in his elbow to try and clear some air to breathe.

  “I should have killed you the first time you showed your face back here!” She lunged for him and he stumbled back, barely managing to stay on his feet as his vision blurred at the lack of air. The Lady of Fire wasn’t done though.

  Johan jumped back in time for the next slash but then his foot caught on something and he fell. He landed hard on his back and looked up to see the tall fire hovering just behind him. He looked at Carlotta, heart hammering in his chest. She stalked closer, grin wide on her lips.

  Johan choked. At least he wasn’t getting captured.

  It was like his thoughts slowed down as he watched Carlotta raise her arm, her sword glowing in the light of the fire.

  Johan shut his eyes.

  “Don’t touch him!”

  C L A N G -

  Breathe in.

  Breathe out.

  He didn’t die.

  He opened his eyes.

  A big, dark shadow covered him. A black robe flowing gently against the red flickers of the fire behind it.

  His breath hitched.

  A head turned. Red eyes met purple.

  Relief washed through him, his tense muscles relaxing so quickly he almost fell back.

  “Note.” Johan breathed and for a second he was home. Everything was ok. He was ok. Safe. Alive. Note was here. Right here.

  Note was shaking, his eyes wide and panicked as he examined Johan. “You ok?”

  Johan just nodded, speechless. Note let out a held breath and reached out a hand. Johan tok it and when he stumbled, a strong hand wrapped around his waist and held him steady.

  Johan couldn’t tear his eyes away. The red of the fire reflected in Note’s panicked eyes, moving quickly as he searched Johan for injuries. Note’s hand came up to rest against his cheek, and he barely felt it as the thumb hovered over a point on his forehead.

  Finally the panic mellowed into concern and Note met his eyes.

  “I’m ok.” Johan said. Note nodded, his hand falling down to Johan’s arm. Johan hissed at the touch against the raw wounds and Note’s panicked expression immediately came back, his head ducking down to look at them.

  “Your arms..”

  And with that the dream was over. Johan jerked back as realization settled in.

  “Why are you here?” His words shaky. Note wasn’t supposed to be here. The whole point was for him and Signe to be safe. Johan pulled his arms free, ignoring the pain and Note’s flinch as his callus hands rubbed against the raw skin on his own. “You’re not supposed to be here!”

  “You are not supposed to be here.” Note threw the words back in his face with an angry scowl.

  Note opened his mouth but it clicked shut as a loud sound of a horn blared through the city and a joyous laugh rang through the air with heavy stomps shaking the earth.

  Johan turned to the bridge. His jaw dropped.

  The giants were there! And even the villagers!

  Viddi led the charge, holding a warhorn in one hand and leading a huge horde behind him, all armed with huge clubs and axes and bags and bags of rocks, swinging their weapons around as they made loud and excited yells of war.

  At Viddi’s command they quickly spread and joined the fight. The first one took a running kick at a building, laughing as a huge chunk went flying through the air, people screaming beneath him, the rest followed soon after, axes dragging huge rifts in the ground and clubs sending deities flying.

  Standing beside Viddi was Dornir, but Johan was more focused on his shoulder, where Signe was standing. She was holding onto a strand of long hair and was leaning out, laughing maniacally as she looked across the city.

  Beside her Vero sat relaxed, leaning back on her arms as she watched Signe with a warm look, and as the giants joined the fight, a sinister one slowly took its place. She stood up, giving Signe a quick kiss, then jumped off Dornir’s shoulder and disappeared behind a building.

  Then Signe’s eyes zeroed in on Johan.

  He took a subconscious step back at the intensity. Note huffing out a laugh beside him. By the bridge Signe tugged on Dornir’s hair, looking up expectantly.

  Johan could only watch in shock as his big hand grabbed her off his shoulder, lifted high in the air, and threw!

  Signe plummeted towards them across the city when suddenly screams of terror erupted from everywhere. Johan glanced around in surprise as white rain suddenly descended- wait no, lifted into the sky!

  Souls!

  He looked back to Signe and Note gasped beside him as hundreds of orbs flew up to swarm Signe, completely covering her in a bright white glow. Like a meteor she flew across the sky.

  “Woah…” Johan breathed, eyes wide open. What had happened?! How did that many people die at once?!

  A triumphant laugh came from behind and Johan turned to see Frey watching everything with a bright yet crazed smile. ‘Assassination’ Johan’s mind supplied, the pieces connecting.

  “It’s better than I could ever imagine.” Greed wondered over the terrified screams.

  The souls cleared when she was only a second away. Long links of souls hung from her like jewelry. Then another light flashed. An axe appeared in her hand and she threw it around, turning herself in the air, eyes glowing pure white as she lifted the axe above her head.

  And brought it down!

  Frey yelled and pulled Greed out of the way, just barely avoiding it as the axe breached the ground where he just sat, large cracks forming around it.

  Signe panted in rage and lifted her eyes to Greed. “You.” She snarled, ripping the axe free.

  In the blink of an eye, the scene changed. Frey’s arms were suddenly empty, eyes widening in panic as he met Johan’s and they both turned at the same time to see Greed on the ground, Signe’s fist slamming into his face.

  “I hate you!” She screamed, continuing to punch the man. Over and over again.

  Frey yelled at her to stop and Note surged forward and grabbed him. Frey writhing in Note’s arms as he was held back from helping Greed. All while Note watched the scene emotionlessly, eyes cold.

  Greed’s head lulled to the side, face bleeding, and Johan acted.

  “Hey, it’s ok!” Johan grabbed Signe’s hand as she brought it back yet again, and Greed made a pained sound when she let go of his collar, his head falling back against the ground.

  Signe turned big eyes to him, lips wobbling dangerously.

  “Johan!” She threw herself at him, arms wrapping tightly around him as he stumbled back a step, her face hiding in his chest. “You can’t just leave like that!”

  “I…” Johan wrapped his arms around her almost subconsciously as she cried. He didn’t think she would react like this. “I’m sorry.”

  She pulled away enough to search him over, making a ugly sound when she saw the state of his arms, then turned to Note. She yanked Frey out of the way, sending him sprawling to the ground before pulling Note into the hug.

  “I didn’t think-” Johan tried but Note’s arms tightened around them.

  “Of course we care.” Note grunted out and hissed in his ear. “Don’t ever leave us again. Family, remember?”

  Johan stared into Note’s eyes as the stupid war raged on around them, and agreed. “Never again.” He breathed.

  “If we die then we die. But only together.” Note said and Signe nodded seriously against Johan’s chest.

  “Running away?!” A new voice yelled tauntingly followed by a loud clang of metal. The three of them separated to watch.

  Vero was standing there menacingly, her eyes glinting with the want to fight, and blocking Carlotta from leaving. “I heard you tried to burn Signe. You are my prey now.”

  Carlotta glanced back at Johan, eyes running over all of them with a tight sneer and for a second he thought he saw a flash of fear in her eyes.

  He watched as Vero closed the distance with a roar. “Try to touch me with your fire!”

  “Ohh.” Signe smiled, walking over to grab her axe from where it was wedged into the pavement. She looked back at Johan and grinned, eyes dark. “Whatever you want here, do it. I support you.”

  He swallowed, tear pricking his eyes as she jumped into the fight. A hand landed on his shoulder.

  “We should move on.” Note said and Johan nodded.

  “Frey,” He said and the blonde turned back from where he was fuzzing over Greed’s seemingly broken nose. Johan’s lips twitched at the sight. That was long coming. “Take Greed and go.”

  Frey didn’t need to be told twice. He quickly got Greed onto his back and gave Johan and Note a serious look as he passed them. “Good luck.”

  Johan nodded and turned around, a small smile trying to force itself onto his face. Things were starting to turn around.

  Red flashes of fire crackled in the air, Carlotta yelled, Signe laughed and metal clashed behind them as Johan and Note set off.

  Hopefully there weren’t any more interruptions.