Unknown to the Darkling Lord, a small birdlike construct had been silently tailing her and observing her actions since this morning. Already some figures have been on the move, aware of what Virulina has been up to.

The night has been quiet at least, and it was a refreshing change from having to bear with a hard bed during her time as a Darkling Lord. Has that time been real, or was it just an imagination?

Virulina remained firm in her belief that she had been a Darkling Lord, the armor and totem proved it (in her mind).

Back at the office, Virulina read through a transcript of the next new program.  Some breaking news might still be inserted into the final broadcast, but she at least knew 90% of what was coming.  Then she went for a chat with the station's weather guy.

"Hey, are you free?  I was wondering what the word was on the recent eclipse... natural phenomena or unexplained event."

"Oh, Ms Virulina!" the weather guy remarked with a smile as he pulled out information on the recent eclipse that happened, "The eclipse itself was an expected event, a rare one that followed the aligning of the three suns in the system. What was unusual was the weather in the spot where you can see the eclipse - reports supposedly said it should be cloudy in the area, but the satellites have reported clear skies in the vicinity that day. Meteorologists were baffled and couldn't explain why either."

"And how many years will it be til the suns align again?"

Virulina suspected a number between several hundreds and a few thousands.  However a thought did occur.  If the alignment had happened, but the energy drain hadn't... where did the resulting magic go?  Did the White Robed man absorb it himself?  Such untold power in the hands of one person worried her.

"I don't think we'll be seeing it in our lifetime again, it's really a very rare incident considering how those suns move," the weather man said with an apologetic shrug, "Don't think we can do anything about that."

"Ms Virulina, sorry to interrupt, but there's a call for you on the phone," Virulina's secretary finally came over after trying to look for her, "They simply said they have something important to tell you."

"On my way..."

Following the secretary to a phone, Virulina picked it up and spoke to the mystery caller.  She didn't bother to ask for an identity yet, it would be volunteered or it would be not.

"This is Virulina.  What have you got for me, Mr...?"

"Is this Virulina...?" a familiar yet uneasy voice responded on the other side of the phone, "I... I have something t-that you may be looking for. Can we meet somewhere?"

It might be coincidence, but the voice was undoubtedly Lexor's. The question would be how he knew she was looking into something?

Virulina briefly covered the receiver with a hand, just to calm herself and plot her next move.

“Alright, where did you wish to meet... and when?  I’m very busy so I hope this thing of yours is worth my time.  Can you promise that I won’t be disappointed?”

She didn’t want to spook him, but asking Lexor to promise something was a good way to test his authenticity.  The ‘real one’ would offer up an extravagant lie about his trustworthiness while a fake one might just say yes or keep it simple.  In the past people had targeted the news station with voice clips, usual for mischief.

"The roof deck of the shopping mall, tonight at eleven," Lexor replied after taking a deep breath and adding, "You are looking into the missing people incident that happened during the eclipse, right? Well I can assure you what I'll show you tonight would be more than worth your time."

Before Virulina could ask any further questions, Lexor hung up on the phone.

She couldn't be sure that it was Lexor, but a chance for some 'real' information was worth risking a trap for.  Her reply oozed charm.

"Of course I'll be there, Sir.  Can I ask..."

The phone disconnected on her.  Virulina hated when people did that!  Still, there was little to be done except to go and do her anchoring work.

The rest of the day went by without a hitch, a simple proof that Virulina still had what it takes to show others why she was on top. Soon the time came, and Lexor (at least it sounded like Lexor) would be waiting for her at their appointed location.

After her job was done, Virulina changed her clothing.  A dress would hardly be useful for a secret meeting.  She (privately) donned her Armor instead and then covered it up with a long coat and scarf.  As an afterthought, she borrowed a station recording device to wear upon her Armor (the sort that reporters used for undercover stories).  Finally Virulina looked up the shopping mall and familiarised its just in case she wanted to use her Totem.

A little while later, Virulina took a taxi to the mall.

The shopping mall was closed at the time, but the fire escape access was somehow left open. There was hardly anyone around the place late at night save for some security staff keeping an eye on what went on inside the mall. On the top of the shopping mall, she could spot a lone figure standing on the open area waiting with an uneasy posture.

Keeping her wits about her, Virulina ascended the fire escape and closed in on the figure.  She wanted to get a good look at him to verify it was Lexor.  He certainly seemed nervous enough.

"I'm here."

Virulina picked a spot to stand where someone from the street (or other adacjacent buildings) couldn't see her.  She wasn't going to make herself an easy target, should someone wish her harm.

The man was clearly looking around, as if watching out for something before he nearly jumped out of his pants when hearing Virulina call out to him.

"F-finally...! D-don't scare me like that!" the paranoid Lexor called out, clumsily pulling out a flashlight to point to Virulina's direction to confirm it was indeed her that showed up. He hurried close while keeping the flashlight pointed to the ground, as if trying to avoid people from finding him.

"I need a place to hide...!" Lexor said as he took off the cap he had on to show Virulina who he was, "I'll make sure to reveal everything I know as long as you ensure my safety...!"

Virulina folded her arms and generally kept a poker face.  Secretly she wanted his allegiance just as much as he wanted hers.  And like Cindarr, Lexor appeared not to recognise her.

"I'm not a cop... but I might have some connections.  Who exactly are you running from?  I don't stick my neck out for just anyone, especially on vague promises.  I expect good answers about these eclipse people."

"M-m-m-monsters...!" Lexor exclaimed in a combination of a shout and a whisper, then quickly looking around before looking back up to Virulina, "The police won't believe someone like me... They won't be of any use either...! These monsters are coming after me no matter where I go, saying they have finally found a Gate or whatever they were talking about...!"

"I don't have anywhere else to go..." the frightened man said with desperate eyes pleading for help at the reporter, "I was hoping that if I could expose them... Make the public find out they are real, I could somehow force them into hiding while I find somewhere safe to seek refuge!"

"The missing people during the eclipse! The truth is..." Lexor said as he suddenly stopped and a look of horror showed on his face. Amidst the faint noise of light traffic in the background, footsteps were approaching on their position. Two... no, three individuals. Two of these people came in from the far end of the roof deck, while a third stood several steps behind them.

"We finally found you, you little weasel..." a young woman spoke in an elegant tone as she took a step forward to be visible in the light. She sported long black hair that reached past her shoulders. Garbed with a simple dress and a shawl around her shoulders, a confident smile formed on her lips as she looked to Virulina as well.

"Oh...? How nice of you to even bring another Gate here," the woman added as she looked from Virulina and then back to Lexor, "Maybe we can consider letting you go in exchange for her?"

Virulina smiled as Lexor gave her something 'actionable'.  Of course her good fortune didn't last as three gatecrashers turned up.  With an arm, Virulina protectively shifted Lexor behind her.

"Lady, you couldn't take me on your best day.  But if you want to make the attempt, I'll try not to take too much joy... in twisting your head off."

There was a small chance that her words might cause the attackers to back off, but Virulina doubted it.  Her right hand slipped under her coat and gripped the hilt of her bladed weapon.

"It... it's them...!" Lexor exclaimed as he hid behind Virulina, staying close to her when he realized that they were blocked at both sides.

"Is that a threat?" the young woman asked, barely suppressing a laugh as she crossed her arms, "It will be these two who will be doing the job, though!"

The man beside the young woman stepped into the light, revealing himself to be... Ectar!? There was something off about him - like some sort of oppressive atmosphere surrounding his person. The other man from behind stepped closer as well, turning out to be Feryl. Like Ectar, there was something off with his movements in a manner that told Virulina that she was facing someone else entirely.

"S... sa-a-a-ave meee----!" Lexor pleaded, now on his knees begging for mercy as the two approached.

"Don't kill them," the young woman said as she rest a hand under her chin, "They will of no use to us if they died before giving in to despair."

"... Understood!" Ectar replied as an unusual glow surrounded his body, changing his form into a fox-like manbeast. The same thing happened to Feryl, changing into a wolf creature instead, "It is time to hunt!"

The two slowly circled Virulina and Lexor (with the latter on the floor crying like a baby) before Feryl finally closed in at Virulina in an attempt to knock her down.

"I didn't think you'd have the spine.  Bring on your goons then."

Virulina smirked back to the woman, just to rub in the insult a little more.  Then she turned her attention to the other two.  Spectral knights were the last people she expected, but having fought them many times over was going to give her a big edge.

"Lexor, make your useful and watch the wench..."

Withdrawing her blade, Virulina feinted from left toright... until Ectar or Feryl made a move.  When the latter chose to attack her, Virulina allowed Feryl to knock her over... only to roll onto her back and counter attack with both feet, aiming for jaw rattling strike to his face.  Ectar remained the larger threat, but with Feryl in his way their superior numbers were negated.

Kicking Feryl felt like she hit a tree, as if the man beast was a lot sturdier than he looked. Fortunately the her strike sent Feryl reeling back and slightly dazed, eliciting an angry growl as he shook off the dizziness. Ectar waited at the back, unable to advance with Feryl in the way.

"Don't go hogging all the action!" Ectar exclaimed as he shoved his partner aside and charged at Virulina. Sharp claws were visible at the tip of his fingers as he attempted to rake at the reporter and maybe wound her a little.

A few steps behind her, Lexor was still on his knees. He was keeping an eye on the young woman as Virulina instructed, but it looked like he could attempt to flee at any time if the fight went south.

Faced with some 'tougher' opponents, Virulina brought her weapon to bear.  She tried to duck under Ectar (relying on her armor to save her from any minor scratches) and hit aimed for a groin strike with her sword's handle.

Backing up towards the edge of the rooftop, Virulina tried to sight any water... just in case she had to bail out.

Virulina could feel Ectar's claws scrape against the plates of her armor as he swiped at her, eliciting some degree of surprise from the man-beast before receiving a hefty blow to the groin. While he was forced back, it did not look like the blow was as effective to this form as it would to most male opponents.

She could spot a river running at the ground level by the edge where she stood. Lexor was too busy keeping an eye on the young woman that he did not notice what the reporter/Darkling Lord was up to.

"My, you seem more prepared than the other Gates," the young woman said as she casually stepped forward while the man beasts bared their fangs and moved back to corner Virulina and Lexor, "It would be a shame to let you go."

"Grab a hold of my belt, tight as you can."

Having hissed her instruction to Lexor, Virulina only acted when she felt her former comrade had a good grip.  Ectar and Feyrl were too unmanageable in their current states... and she was running short of dirty tricks.  Virulina gave her weapon a quick spin and held it forth in a charging pose.

"I'm quite prepared to go through the lot of you..."

Then unexpectedly, she leapt off the edge towards the river (with Lexor still attached to her)... transforming into her green totem.  Even with the river below, Virulina expected a rough landing and did her best to pull up the moment she could hit the water.  As for Lexor, he'd get a bumpy, wet ride... but it wasn't the first time he'd jumped the shark.

"Eh?" Lexor did as he was told without even thinking, while Ector and Feryl were poised for a counterattack from Virulina. With her unexpected attempt at fleeing the two with the young woman were left to only figure what just happened.

It took Lexor a good two seconds before he started screaming like a little girl, fortunately immediately cut short when Virulina and the cowardly man finally hit the water.

"Ah... They got away..." the young woman remarked as she looked over the edge where Virulina jumped off with Lexor, "You two, round up the rest and make sure they don't get far. They would make good Phantoms that will serve Wiseman's cause."