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Steel stumbled into the main office of the Paranormal Detective Agency all while holding his head. It felt as though an explosive device went off in his head, not a great feeling but most likely a necessary one, "Steel, you must do something about the child. She will not stop insulting everyone." The wispy voice, which meant the Angel of Sorrow was still there, "Your eyes... I see."

"Lucy, silence. You'll get your turn to talk soon enough." He stumbled to his desk and had to stick out his hand to keep himself from falling, "Has there been any unique situations in the world?"

Cleopatra raised a single, meticulously groomed eyebrow. This was something Steel had never noticed before, "Uh, the world? Aren't we more of a local, and occasionally country, business?"

"The answer is no. Not yet at least. I have kept my ear to the wind, but the only abnormality is this girl." Steel extended his free arm to the angel, "Hm?"

"I'd like my sword back. This toy I have is nothing more than a crutch." The angel smiled gently and chanted silently. Within a second, a rather simply longsword hovered in the air. Steel quickly took hold and used a little magic to create a sheath, "Thank you for holding this tool of war for so long."

"Alright, I'll be the first to say it. What?" Liliy tilted her head, "Don't get me wrong, you're still hot, but... you seem... "

"Different..." Sabrina finished Liliy's thought, and the thoughts of everyone except Steel and the Angel of Sorrow, "What happened?"

Steel sat on the hard oak wood of the desk and breathed in the stale air penetrated by just a hint of cinnamon, "Lucy, if you are to be my adoptive daughter, it was agreed that my emotions be returned to me. I won't last more than 100 years like this, but it was a necessary evil." He looked at the confused devil girl in the eyes, "You are going to be my successor, do you understand?"

"Wh-what?"

Steel shut his eyes, "I forgot how bright the light can truly be. I've said my piece. Angel, do you know where I can find some?"

The Angel of Sorrow produced a small vial from beneath her chestplate, "I was worried this day would come, so I found this and held it for safety." The liquid inside changed colors depending on the angle.

"Drugs? Really Steel?" Aqua bubbled angrily, "This isn't funny."

Steel took the vial and quickly consumed the contents, "When you have been stripped of what is essentially a component of your soul for as long as I have, you need a binding agent. Otherwise, I may die faster." He set the empty vial onto his desk, "I owe you a great deal."

"You freed me, you owe me nothing. We are friends, don't you remember?" She smiled, "The battles we've fought together shook the very core of the planet."

Cleopatra had to bend over to look into Steel's eyes, "They are a bit more detailed, but I'm not sure if this is real or just an elaborate prank. I'd bet on the latter."

Steel slowly placed his hand onto the mummy's cheek, "My emotions have been returned, this is no prank. I also owe you a great deal. This business of mine was meant to keep my occupied, but you turned it into something more, something that helps many people and keeps things in check. Thank you."

Cleopatra's cheeks blushed so bright it could be seen through her fur, wanting to save face she backed away, turned around, and put her hands on her hips, "Hmph. Finally get a proper thanks."

"Long overdue, I'm sure." He hopped to his feet, his sword perfectly covered by his overcoat.

"Steel... I feel tingly." Liliy shivered. Steel closed his eyes.

"What? No joke? She's horny, that's what succubi are."

"Get down now!" He jumped to cover Lucy as everyone else knew to get down. A wave of dark light washed over the upper half of the office, a spell designed only to harm flesh and souls, "I thought you said nothing was wrong!"

"That magic... Steel!"

"Dammit! Everyone listen to the angel, what she says goes!" Steel jumped to his feet and charged at the window, "No arguments!" With a leap he crashed through the glass, sword drawn and fury in his eyes. A large collection of people in pitch black robes all wearing the same necklace were chanting around the building, "Be gone!"

A liberal dose of magic casting and Steel became a missile of cursed flame which struck the ground like a meteor. Body parts and robe scraps filled the night sky like so many burning bats, while the unharmed enemies fled as quickly as they could, "Steel! Are you okay?!" The ladies were all looking through the gaping hole which was until recently a very nice bay window.

"The Dark Choir is back apparently."

As Steel made his way up the stairs, Cleopatra couldn't help but ask, "So why are you two so chummy now? Last I checked you were neutral with each other, maybe forced allies at best."

The Angel of Sorrow nodded, "This... this is the Steel that freed me. The Steel that accepted me when no others would. The Steel that called me a friend. A warrior with no equal and a scholar with no peer. It is just like it was all those centuries ago." With a coy smile she added, "I'd fight by his side even in a hopeless battle."

Steel opened the door, "I believe I know what had changed, though it was subtle."

Lucy was shivering, "What do you mean?! What's happening?!"

"First, Liliy please teach her how to deal with the magical energies in this realm, Lucy has no resistance. Second," Steel walked over to his personal bookshelf and pulled out a single, yellowing scroll. The others had assumed it was just a decoration, but when he unraveled the aging parchment onto his desk their minds changed quickly, "When time is changed, whether by forbidden magic or demonic influence, it isn't as simple as changing an event. You change the lives of everyone directly related to that event, back to it's inception. Millions of lives or even a single life may be changed, but you cannot know until it happens."

Aqua tilted her head, or possibly her head sagged a bit to the side, "So what are all of those squiggles? And who were those people?"

"Patience my pink friend." He tapped on a circle and whispered, then the shapes and squiggles all took a familiar, if still unreadable, shape, "These scrolls have encrypted magic writing, so that only my allies and I can read it, though these were written when magic script was more popular."

"The Dark Choir is what was changed? We eliminated them and all of their books, correct?" The angel leaned over the corner of the desk, "And the text here hasn't changed at all."

"Hey! Fill us in too!" Cleopatra shouted out over the mumbling. Sabrina was trying to keep busy as she still knew almost nothing about magic and the paranormal world. Liliy was doing her best to teach Lucy about magic energy while the fairy was making elaborate gestures and dances to illustrate. Aqua looked at the script on the scroll hard, hoping that it would make sense to her.

"Whatever events were changed, someone had hoarded the Dark Choir texts, perhaps because of an incoming danger or future planning. Whatever the case, they are back and have waited until now to act. This is not a good thing. I'm worried about Euphoria."

"ANOTHER woman in your life?! Are you joking?!" Cleopatra was fuming now, and no amount of words could calm the raging mummy.

The Angel of Sorrow intervened, "Euphoria is the Oracle of this world. She was a known enemy to the Dark Choir. If she had died, this world would begin to rot and suffer. Steel, even if the texts had been saved they would not be able to find her. Do you know her location?"

Steel shut his eyes and thought slowly, "I must ask the Reaper. She would be able to tell us faster than anyone."

"Indeed." She appeared behind the group, "The Dark Choir, my baby." She peaked over Steel's shoulder, "So they ARE back. I was in the area collecting souls which is how I could hear you."

Aqua's head sagged the other way now, "But, they're evil, and you're... not?"

"I'm Death, I'm neutral in all things. That being said, I do appreciate a cult that worships me as their god. Didn't you tell them Steel?"

Steel sighed, "There are more important matters at hand. We need to find Euphoria."

"An ex-lover? Right in front of your wife Steel!" She feigned shock and even held up her hand to her mouth, "I'm so deeply hurt." This drew looks, "If Steel won't be playful and joking I have to pick up the slack, now don't I? Even better, I know where she sleeps."

"I'd thank you more, but we have to move quickly. You may desire to claim her soul, but you know as well as I do what will happen if you do."

"I'm going too. I may look fragile, but I can go toe-to-toe with the best." Cleopatra grabbed her long coat and hat, "I'd rather this world not die anyway."

Steel drew his sword and examined the blade, "I expect quite a bit of bloodshed, as I suspect they attacked me to keep me from aiding Euphoria. Take out the chanters quickly and their spells fail. Show no mercy, eviscerate anyone in your way. Reaper, create the portal."

The Grim Reaper pointed at nothing in particular and a small blue ball of electricity formed, "It will take some time unfortunately."

Aqua bubbled in the corner, "Wow Steel, I don't think I've ever seen you like this. Not even on Taco Tuesday at the diner." She picked up a few scattered documents that fell in the confusion, "Is something wrong?"

Steel ignored her question and practiced swinging his sword, "Aqua, correct?" The glowing Angel of Sorrow asked, "These is a great deal that none of you know about Steel. His past is most likely more complex than all of yours combined. Even more complex than mine."

The Grim Reaper made sure that the blue ball was expanding, "An old saying that still rings true." With a flick of her wrist the scythe appeared in her hand, "The brightest torches use the darkest coal. Or if you don't understand... the deepest rivers hide the most secrets. Take your pick."

"Uh..." Liliy disguised herself, "I'm just gonna... answer the door downstairs..."

"The world is slowly unraveling again my friends. This time we cannot see the source." Steel sheathed his blade, "Lucy, I expect you to behave here and listen to Aqua. And Aqua, I will leave you in charge. Make sure Liliy informs you of any magic energies and take the appropriate action. Sabrina, send all of the calls to voicemail and make sure you don't panic."

Cleopatra wrapped her fists tightly with dark cloth, "I get that this Euphoria is important, but why are you so very concerned? I need to know Steel."

"I am not ready to tell you that. Just know that she needs to be safe."

"But-"

"Ask her whatever questions you want in person. For now, save your energy and prepare your mind." Steel eyed up his old armor, "The Dark Choir is deadly in numbers, but powerless divided. If their spells are intact, they could kill a God with mere chanting." Steel placed both of his hands on his desk and stared at the scroll, "I am troubled."

"Hey! What gives you the right to order me!"

"Lucy, I will be as serious as I must. You could have died if it weren't for Liliy and myself. So listen closely and you will learn a great deal of this world. Otherwise you might as well become a beggar." Steel exhaled, "If they do know at least that chant, why was it so inaccurate? It does them no good to simply threaten us."

"You're right. I can think of two main possibilities that are equally likely, but neither are good. The first would be that it was a method to get you to follow who they sent, which means it was buying time because they know of Euphoria's location. The second would be that the text had been mistranslated to some degree." The Angel of Sorrow summoned her spear, "Yes. Then again, it is possible both have happened in which case we have little time to spare."

Steel smiled, "I haven't seen you use that spear in true battle for many a year."

"It will be good to spill the blood of those that claim my brothers and sisters as their allies." The Angel smiled a wicked grin, "No mercy." Light engulfed the large triangular tip of her spear.

"The portal is just about ready." The Grim Reaper laughed, "It will be ironic. Is that the word? They worship me because I am Death, and then I kill them."

"Uh, it's the little vampire girl for a visit..." Liliy was still a bit disturbed, "Maybe... not right now..."

Steel looked at her, "Ah, the young vampire maiden. I apologize, but I cannot keep you company and entertain for you. Perhaps you could teach Lucy some manners, but I must be off."

"Oh, uh, is something wrong? Should I get my father?"

The Grim Reaper smirked, "No, he will be of no help. The talking goo woman will answer anything. Now then, let's go end lives!"

Cleopatra shrugged, "Alrighty, but I'm going to kill more than you!"

Steel whispered to himself, making complex movements with his lips. The young vampire could almost hear two voices saying two different things, but she was more concerned with the immediate. Namely, the rude devil girl, "Come, once again we must raze the Dark Choir. Let them chant one last time, a prayer for their corpses."