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While
working on some paperwork in the office late at night, Ariadne overhears a conversation between Kazuo and Cirrus, in which,
Kazuo confesses to altering some of Adriana's memories. Ariadne informs Adriana of what she's heard and Adriana promptly
throws Kazuo out of the House, despite his blossoming relationship with Mia. Feeling free of Kazuo at last, Cirrus informs
Tranns and Amorette that Kazuo is, in fact, Zelazny. The word spreads like wildfire, but Adriana orders everyone to
keep it a secret from Mia until after the Aefie's Eve ball, during which, Kazuo intends to escort Mia. Her nerves are
fried, however, and she gets into a fight with Warren, ending with her asking him to leave the House, for good.
Everyone
has a great time at the ball with Adriana stealing the show by dancing with Ariadne. Eventually, Mia grows tired, and
Kazuo escorts her to her room. As soon as they enter, Mia passes out and begins to glow red. When she wakes
up, her eyes are yellow and she proclaims to Kazuo that Mia is gone. Reidna has returned. She convinces Kazuo
to take her to his stronghold, and he reluctantly agrees.
The next day, a panic-striken Cirrus runs into the office,
telling Adriana that Mia and Kazuo are gone. Immediately blaming herself, Adriana sends the advance team, led by Phil, to
go look for Mia, with orders to avoid Kazuo at all costs. They have limited sucess, but are determined to keep
trying. Back at the stronghold, Reidna sucks up to Kazuo, hoping to gain his favor and prove her loyalty. This,
in turn, thoroughly annoys Kazuo.
On the advice of Aden, Adriana asks Warren to try and locate Kazuo.
He immediately returns with news that Kazuo is hiding out in a stronghold by the river and that Mia is with him, back in the
guise of Reidna. Adriana calls a meeting and informs the advance team, providing them with the dagger that drove Reidna
away the first time. Aden further stresses to the Phoenix Fighters that they must consider Kazuo dead now. He
is now Zelazny and there's no good left in him.
The advance team goes out into Shaldani to try again and this time Kazuo
spots them out the window of his office. He goes outside to greet them, explaining that he wants Mia back
and that he will aid them in getting rid of Reidna. Philip and Aden agree and the group returns inside, posing as prisoners. Reidna
taunts the group and proceeds to try and kill them. After a fierce battle, Aden stabs Reidna in the leg, which causes her to scream and
glow. Before she disappears, she swears that she will return someday. Mia regains consciousness and immediately
becomes depressed when she realizes her boyfriend is Zelazny.
Back in
the House, things begin to settle down. Adriana, going against Aden's cautions, takes a ride out into the countryside
and encounters Kazuo. She manages to knock him unconscious and carries him back to the House where he's placed in the
basement cage. Distraught over Adriana's rash decision and the impact it will have in his respect from the House, Aden
reluctantly steps down from his position of authority, returning sole command of the House to Adriana.
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