“...Sure…I know…” A robotic voice responded as Bella turned and looked at the man. Confusion was written on her face as she tried to piece the information given to her together with the childish stories of myths she read in the library. He had to be up to some sort of trick with his babbling of talking swords. 

But what if there was some hint of truth. She has already experienced things that shouldn’t have existed during her short time of getting to know him. Could this man be trusted? Does he have an untapped source of knowledge beyond what is known to most Asylums?

Taking a deep breath Bella continued her conversation through her mind. [i]‘I’ve read children’s books when I was young but they were nothing more than fairy tales and anything worth reading mentioned that people have gone on expeditions in the past to find these treasures of power but they are similar to the normal world’s view of things like Atlantis, the holy grail or the fountain of youth. Every search has come up empty and the myths haven’t been proven.’[/i]

Angel nodded and snapped at Bella's mention of Atlantis and the fountain youth. "Oh Atlantis wasn't a relic, it was more of an alchemically advanced nation that meddled in affairs they shouldn't have." The Reaper casually corrected the little Asylum before moving on to the topic at hand. "Relics are ancient beyond measure, little one. It is of a bygone era that was eradicated so thoroughly that nothing survived, no trace, nothing except for these relics. And that too because they simply cannot be destroyed." There was a trace of defeat in his voice, indirectly suggesting that not even he had found a way. Angel had now taken a seat on a neat pile of rubble, his legs crossed as he explained archaic things to these fresh ones. 

"Information and knowledge are two of the most frightening sources of currency. They have toppled empires and erected new ones. Relics are one of them, their knowledge should never be shared." There was a warning in his tone and for a brief moment the world drowned in bloodlust, such was the aura of death that radiated from the Reaper before being suppressed. 

"Relics are alchemic technology that retains sentience and an alchemic drive of its own….which means it is a weapon that is alive and capable of producing alchemy, the strength of which borders Chronos. The only limiter on it being that for it's true potential, the relic must be wielded by it's chosen." Heaving a weary sigh the Lost Number leaned back against the remnants of a wall, his veiled gaze drifting across the sky. 

"Most relics are very selective in their wielder, but the blades of camelot…..they just want to be used. Vexing things….."

“It seems like you are someone that is dangerously wealthy in this currency of information and knowledge.” Zane stated as he reached down and picked up a piece of rubble about the size of a baseball. The man gave the piece of concrete a light toss up in the air to test the weight before catching it and throwing it at a nearby fragment of a wall before picking up another piece. “Is this knowledge about relics known amongst your peers higher up on the totem pole or is this sword another one of your solo curiosities similar to our last adventure?” 

Tossing the piece in his hand, Zane watched as he slowly chipped the wall away. “I’m all in for another adventure but after our last interaction with a powerful being and the growing rumors about you and the Chrono, my partner and the Wrecking Crew are a lot more wary. Why was a sword of this magnitude in your personal prison?” 

Angel tilted his head towards Zane, a charming smile on his face as he watched the young Asylum haggle with the devil. Oh he knew he had this one enticed and his partner would soon follow. They were alchemists to their core and a true alchemist is always an explorer, a wanderer. 

"The knowledge of certain relics is known by A.M.R.O, that is true. Or to be more specific by the Director and some other Chronos. However they aren't as well versed in tracking them, it takes a certain nuance to hunt for an alien alchemic drive. As for our current sword, she is part of my collection." The Reaper humored the Asylum, his next question amusing him even more so. 

"Because Aerondight is noble and wishes to serve, the problem is she cannot discern between those that deserve her and those that don't. Not to mention she lusts for conquest. These traits make her dangerous and she must stay contained. As to questions related to my personal prison, I'm afraid you aren't ready for that….yet. Now go and assist the others, I have almost located the blade so be ready to leave." 

Seeing his window of opportunity starting to close for more information Zane quickly tried to interject another question as he tried to ignore Bella pressuring him to stop through their link. “Before that I have one more question about…”

[i]'Enough.'[/i] Bella said through their link as she pushed hard against the man’s back to try and get him to start moving. The difference in size and muscular build made moving the man an impossible feat without any support from tech or alchemy as the man stayed completely still and the only progress she made was digging her feet into the ground as she tried to push. But the action was enough to grab the man’s attention.

“Fine.” Zane responded with a sigh before tossing the rubble in his hand. As the man raised his arm, the muscles in his arm, shoulder and back started to grow. The object traveled quicker this time and caused a larger impact. Between the added strength and the aid of the wall being slowly chipped away, the wall tipped over and crumbled. “Show me which way they went and quickly. I have more questions about this sword.” 

Bella sighed and shook her head as she quickened her pace to try and stay ahead of her partner’s run. Switching her view to thermal imaging she followed the footsteps in the snowy patches. [i]'You’re getting sucked into this mystery harder than most.'[/i]

“I’m surprised you aren’t Miss. Bookworm. You’re the one that’s always studying and getting sucked into research.” Zane responded. “Although unconventional in their ways, those two feel like a breath of fresh air. If our experience and the rumors are true, something exciting seems to always happen with them. And more importantly, Angel seems to have more information than what is typically accessible to us.”

[i]'Information you are hoping can lead you to your father.'[/i] Instead of a typical verbal response that came from her partner Bella felt a wave of sadness coming from her partner before it was quickly stifled. “...I’m sorry…” Bella replied apologetically to break the silence. [i]'I still don’t fully trust that man and I don’t want you to get hurt. Not again.'[/i]

[i]'I’m not a child anymore.'[/i] Anger seeped through their bond as Zane moved to communicating through their link. [i]'Things will be different this time around. I’m not a vulnerable and reckless child like I was at Innocence.'[/i]

[i]'I’m hoping that is true.'[/i] Bella said as she gave a slight nod. [i]'I really do want to believe you.'[/i]

[center]~.~.~[/center]

The traces of leftover melted snow started to grow as the duo started to get closer to the others. Reaching out the other team and twins, Bella sent out a light nudge to try and avoid bothering the others in case they were preparing an attack. [i]'We’re almost to you. Let us know how you would like us to proceed if you have a plan you would like us to follow.'[/i]