Atop the Grand Library sat Trey, meditating under the province's overcast weather. He maintained seven bubbles of blood - one for each newspaper laying in front of him. "Team Pyron… After the MLA's downfall, they split into two teams - Kevin, Gerald Romanti, Xavier Velasquez, and Kaelan are here in the Grand Province. Meanwhile, Itama Kawasaki, Stephanie, and president Forrest Cooper are investigating Flower."
He picked up the most recent newspaper labeling Kevin, Gerald, and Kaelan as fugitives. "If they are aspiring Nahatan heroes, then why would they commit such a heinous crime?"
"I know, it's rather confusing." Riley replied.
All seven of Trey's bubbles popped, drenching the newspapers in blood. "You could've declared your presence." Riley crept across the brown roof tiles, sitting down beside Trey. "This is one of the province's worst security breaches in years - however, it won't be long until everything comes to light."
Trey's head lifted, focusing into Riley's formal gaze. "What the media says doesn't add up - a fight between Velasquez and Chrome sparked yesterday in the Common Realms. Why would the other members of their GP division abruptly surrender to Fire Moon?"
Riley shrugged. "The only thing I'm sure of is how Princess Azul connects to Fire Moon's plans."
Trey's eyes lit up. "You know something!? Come on Riley, you gotta tell me!" Riley emerged from the ground, shifting his golden gaze to the overcast skies. His robe flapped in the wind, whipping against his blue shorts. "Our first clue leads us across the city to the Grand Archives."
Volume 13, Chapter 57 - Grand Archives
Riley and Trey stood outside a secluded building. They advanced up the doorstep, noticing a frenzy of buttons restricting unauthorized access. "This location takes me back!" reflected Trey. "It feels like yesterday when I was just an arrogant rookie fascinated by Ellis's sudden disappearance!"
Riley's finger lifted towards the glowing buttons. "Our world is dominated by chaos these days. With each major achievement, it feels like we take one step closer to uncovering the entity world's absolute truth."
His hand traveled across the beeping keypad. "Welcome to the Grand Archives, former captain Riley."
The duo stepped into the room. "Former Captain?"
Riley chuckled. "My time as the NFEHH's captain is almost up - take it as early procedures."
A sparkling golden chandelier hung from the ceiling above. Countless shelves of large metal drawers stretched through the building, each aisle labeled in alphabetical order. "Azul Celeste," Trey's voice echoed.
The captain quietly entered the "C" aisle. He reached towards the "A" drawer, skimming through the countless folders. "Aala, Anna, Aria…" He grabs a folder labeled "AZUL CELESTE" in yellow letters. "Got it! Now all we do is open the folder and check her medical history!" Trey's eyes darted towards Azul's "MEDICAL HISTORY" section. "Entity Hemogenesis Disorder?"
"Correct," replied Riley. "A rare disorder where entity blood mixes with human blood. Since your fighting technique revolves primarily around it, could you widen my understanding?"
"Hmm," Trey mumbled. "Entity blood is split into three types - EBA, EBB, and EBC. EBC is reserved mainly for pristine entities, while A and B are spread among common ones. I can infer Princess Azul has blood type EBC - if EB type A and B merge with Pyron's firepower, there's a strong chance for instability."
"I see," Riley responded. "Only EBC is compatible with Pyron's firepower, but I've been informed by people across the country like Ray and Yakasa regarding the drug's usage rates."
Trey's thumbs twiddled, slipping the folder into his pocket. "The child abducted in the Land of Stone wielded strong flames, no? They experimented on him, but were thankfully intercepted by Team Pyron. In Damage Control, however, many units of the drug were issued throughout the underworld. Ray reported great instability within their bodies. With that information, we can come to a strong conclusion: Azul Celeste was in fact kidnapped due to her EHD, and we aren't going to wait around to see how pristine blood mixes with pristine firepower."
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A frenzy of news reporters swarm the Royal Complex's entrances. "In the province's early morning hours, Princess Azul was abducted from the permanent residences in the Royal Complex. Moments ago, #7 hunter Trey and NFEHH Captain Riley arrived at the scene for "classified purposes." Still, no public statement has been given regarding the disappearance of #9 hunter Zora - the public grows anxious, fearful about Fire Moon's next steps in our country!"
From the complex's front window watched Trey. "You said there was going to be slight press involvement."
"Didn't you forget this is Nahata's capital?" Riley replied, observing the giant hole from Zora's entrance. "You always talked big as a kid, yet you can't even handle a single news reporter."
"That isn't a single reporter - THAT'S A HUNDRED!"
"Same thing."
Trey scurried to the opposite side of the halls, pushing his face against a nearby window. Through the glass lived the quiet courtyard, empty due to the Royal Complex's strict lockdown policies.
Or so he thought - supported by his dark cane, the same elderly man from earlier crept through the stone-tiled path leading towards the pouring fountain. Trey's eyes focused, observing the male's repeated trembles with each movement. "He's a victim of Fire Moon's earlier attack," clarified Riley. "Relaxing in the courtyard daily is a norm for him - before his best friend passed, they would sit and laugh there for hours."
Trey's pupils dilated. "Best friend…?"
The man reaches into his pocket, throwing two pennies into the cascading water.
Riley smiled. "A rather humble man. May the coming years treat you well."
"...Zora. Wherever you are, I pray you return alive and well…"