Chrysalis

The shadow falls like clouds, like rain;

Creeping dread begins to stain;

Shudder the heart, freeze the brain;

Ring out the laughter, again and again;

Call of you lover, daughter, son;

Sinks into your ears, your will undone;

Forward you step, your soul is wrung;

Cannot resist, Gon has come;

Who can defy that fateful call?

Who can escape the shadows pall?

Forward you go, heedless to stall;

Into the depths to meet the fall;

Lament the brave and pity the meek;

None can flee the song of the freak;

• Rinnidan children's rhyme.

Titus had thought his daughter would never return to the Legion, that the untimely death of his son had robbed him of both his children. Now that he'd been reunited with Morrelia and she had integrated into the Legionem Abyssi a part of him that had long been dead was once again full of life. Not that anyone could tell looking at his face, of course, to the world at large he appeared as stone faced and duty bound as ever. Ever since Morrelia had been selected for accelerated development his pride had almost been ready to burst out of his chest. It would seem odd to most people, but watching her earnestly work herself to the bone in order to achieve her ambitions had filled him with powerful emotions. He had dearly wished his son had survived his initiation, so he could have seen both of his children rise

within him as his thoughts dwelt on what had been lost. It had grown easier to bear over the years, but only a little.

mind away from Morrelia and back to the numerous papers scattered across his desk. Administrative work was the backbone of the Legion, and though he would rather charge into a horde of demons without armour on, the commander would do his duty and defeat the enemy that rested on the flat surface before him. Once more

managing morale, all of it demanded the careful attention of the commander in charge and Titus knew just how important each

crashed his fist down on the table as his thoughts

through the door, his old comrade looked around the room as

the hard lines of his expression. Though he always looked carved from granite, right now the commander appeared as if he was forged from Abyssal Iron! Knowing him for as long as she had, Aurillia could tell he was

in a breach of protocol. "Is something bothering

to face his wrath if the moment demanded it. After a long moment where he took

is the matter. I'm just irritated and finding it difficult to concentrate," he admitted as he waved a hand towards

out working hard in the Dungeon?" she grinned.

Titus frowned.

proud, but that doesn't mean I want to hear

we trained when she was a young lass? Why

"Hmph," Titus snorted.

seen her stumbling into camp once every few

Titus didn't blink.

did she

rest

"There it is."

be serious, Titus! This is your daughter we're talking about, don't tell me that

concerned, but that didn't mean he got to overrule Morrelia's choices.

officer’s training Aurillia," he told her, looking her straight in the eye, "you don't know what it takes to succeed at that level. If she worked any less, she

insane!

support her choices. She understands the risks and