Arnimos and John stood at the entrance to the red light district, Arnimos had never seen anything like it. There were scantily-clad men and women offering "services" on every street corner and it seemed like no level of debauchery was banned here. Arnimos's face flushed and turned red, as red as his petrified stone-like skin would allow that is. He averted his eyes and raised a hand so he couldn't see anything out of his peripheral vision.

  "What is this!?!" Arnimos said.

  "Red light district," John said, Arnimos saw him blow a kiss to someone out of the corner of his eye. "Good place, all the pleasure's of the world can be found here. Now let's getting going deeper in, don't want to lose my chance to find some of the bastards,"

  "Are you sure we should be here," Arnimos said. "I mean I've never so much as-"

  "Just be quiet and enjoy it my friend," John said. "And don't worry, if they try to do something you don't like i'll whack 'em,"

  Arnimos glared at John out of the corner of his eye then slowly lowered his hand. As he caught sight of all the workers of the district he looked down at the ground, he still couldn't look directly at them. John began to walk down the street, Arnimos followed close behind his eyes glued to the ground.

  As they walked through he heard John flirting with many of the workers he passed and a few tried to get Arnimos's attention but he remained resolute. After walking for a while John stopped, Arnimos stopped and looked up. They stood in front of a building labelled 'Madam's Pleasure', it seemed to be of a foreign design in comparison to the relatively normal, to Arnimos at least, design of the rest of this district. It was a tall building with wooden pillars, a paper door and paper windows with music drifting out from it and a red coloration. It was likely designed or inspired by architecture of the homeworld of some Reborn.

  "Chinese," John said. "Saw similar buildings in a encyclopedia once,"

  "What's a Chinese?" Arnimos said.

  "Type of people from my world," John said. "Don't really matter though. We should go inside, my guess is that he is gonna be in here,"

  "Mind explaining who we're looking for?" Arnimos said.

  "He's a Taniberas," John said. "Short bastard about yay high,"

  John motioned to his waist.

  "You'll know him when you see him," John said.

  "Then let's find him," Arnimos said. "I wanna spend as little time as possible in there,"

  "Probably for the best," John said. "They'd eat you alive if they caught you,"

  "Eat me?" Arnimos said.

  "Best not to know," John said. "Now let's find the bastard and scram,"

  John stepped up and Arnimos followed, they opened the doors and entered the establishment. They entered into the lobby, an old woman dressed in modest robes stood watching over some servants who were cleaning. There was a small number of benches then just past the lobby an open room with a large number of tables and chairs, here in the lobby was a set of stairs going to an upper floor that mainly looked to be composed of rooms.

  As they entered the old woman looked at John, as Arnimos watched her he could see her eyes changing colors, Tyross. She scowled at them and approached.

  "Hey, Madam," John said. "We're here looking for-"

  She clonked John on the head.

  "Ow-" John said. "What was that-"

  She grabbed him by the ear and tugged him down.

  "Coming back in here after what you pulled last time," The Madam said. "You still owe me a lot of DE!"

  "Not here for any services!" John said. "Besides you know i'm good for it,"

  "Then where is the DE?" The Madam said. "I don't see any on you,"

  "Uh, next time," John said. "You know where Bill is?"

  The Madam gave him a glare then let him go, she looked over at Arnimos.

  "At least you brought another customer," The Madam said, as she looked at Arnimos. "What are you here looking for? We've got quite the selection of-"

  John put his hand over The Madam's mouth.

  "He's not here for that," John said. "Mind telling me where Bill is?"

  John removed his hand from the Madam's mouth. Arnimos looked at The Madam then at John.

  "Do you two have some history?" Arnimos said.

  "Yes," The Madam said. "John was first Reborn back when i was young, he liked coming here and-"

  John covered her mouth.

  "Shut it you old hag and tell me what i need to know," John said.

  "What do I get out of it?" The Madam said, muffled.

  "I'll get you your DE next time I'm by," John said.

  The Madam stared at him for a moment, he looked away and sighed.

  "I'll stop by for some tea as well now will you tell me where Bill is?" John said.

  The Madam nodded, John removed his hand.

  "He's up with one of the courtesans," The Madam said.

  "I'll interrupt him then," John said.

  "Don't you need to know-" The Madam said.

  "I already know which one he'd go for," John said.

  John made his way towards the stairs but just as he was about to go up he looked back.

  "Arnimos, stay here," John said. "And don't try anything with him, hag,"

  Arnimos nodded and John went upstairs. Arnimos looked around then took a seat on one of the benches, The Madam watched him for a minute before letting out a sigh. She walked over and sat on a neighboring bench.

  "So," The Madam said. "Why are you adventuring with John?"

  "He picked me up out in the desert after I was kidnapped," Arnimos said. "I promised to help him get something back in exchange,"

  "You look real young to a Dichotomy User," The Madam said. "How old are you?"

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  "18," Arnimos said. "But I am an Archon,"

  "I see..." The Madam said.

  They sat there in silence for a moment before it seemed to click.

  "An Archon?!?" The Madam said. "One of the Archons?"

  "The 20th, to be exact," Arnimos said.

  The Madam stared at Arnimos, she looked like she was going to milk him for all he was worth. As she was about to open her mouth a courtesan approached the 2, bowed then looked at Arnimos.

  "Excuse me," She said. "The Lady would like to speak to you,"

  "Oh, I'm fine," Arnimos said. "I'm just-"

  The Madam grabbed his arm and whispered into his ear.

  "Don't snub her," The Madam whispered. "She doesn't take it well,"

  "What should I do then?" Arnimos whispered.

  "Just follow along and try to find a way out if you don't want to do anything," The Madam said.

  Arnimos nodded then turned back to the courtesan.

  "Lead the way," Arnimos said.

  She bowed and started walking, Arnimos followed close behind. They ascended the stairs and he was directed into the doors to the largest room, he entered. It was a large room with a massive bed pressed against the wall, a paper divider with a silhouette and a table at the center of the room with tea on it.

  "Excuse me," Arnimos said. "You asked for me,"

  "Please take a seat at the table," The woman behind the divider said. "I'll be out in just a moment,"

  Arnimos hesitated for a moment, something seemed off here. 'This doesn't seem good,' Arnimos thought. 'I'll prepare my Dichotomies in case of a fight.' Arnimos prodded his Dichotomies and began to build energy while fear gnawed at his mind, he kept himself calm as he walked over to the table and sat at it. It was strange as it was too short for chairs and instead he had to awkwardly sit on the ground.

  "Might I ask why you called me here?" Arnimos said.

  "Just a minute," The woman behind the divider said.

  Arnimos waited, he would see what had to be said. After a short time of waiting the divider was pulled open and someone stepped out, Arnimos looked over at her then immediately averted his eyes. It was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen and she was not wearing enough clothes.

  "How cute," She said, she sauntered over to the table and sat across from him. "Some tea?"

  "Why are you dressed like that?" Arnimos said. "Please put on some more clothes,"

  "I'll take that as a yes," She said.

  She poured a cup of tea then placed it in front of Arnimos. She then leaned back but kept herself angled to give him a good view.

  "I'm not going to look at you until you put on some more clothes," Arnimos said. "What did you want?"

  "Oh come on, not even a peak?" She said.

  She leaned forward trying to entice him but still did not look at her, she sighed.

  "Fine," She said.

  She snapped her fingers and a far more modest dress appeared on her, as it appeared the very fabric of the world seemed to bend. Arnimos had felt something like this before. A Personification. He looked at her with wide eyes, she had a predatory grin.

  "Did you think I was just some average girl?" She said. "Afraid you're quite wrong,"

  "Who are you?" Arnimos said.

  "I've got many names," She said. "Just call me Mei,"

  As Arnimos stared at her the memories of his other encounter with a Personification rushed through his mind. His mind strained against the fear that bubbled inside and his Dichotomies exploded with energy.

  "What did you want with me?" Arnimos said. "Why did you want to see me?"

  "Oh, I just wanted to see what the newest Archon in town was like," Mei said. "There are so few of you and the one's here never come to see me,"

  "Is that all?" Arnimos said.

  "Well we could do something else, if you prefer," Mei said. "I don't mind,"

  "I'm quite fine," Arnimos said. "I'm going to go now,"

  Arnimos rose and jogged towards the door but as he reached to open it he was grabbed. The hair on his arm stood up and his body felt cold, his very being was shivering. Yet despite that his mind flared to life with renewed vigor, he wouldn't be kept here against his will.

  "Please, do stay awhile," Mei said. "We'll find something-"

  "Let go," Arnimos said, his voice firm.

  Arnimos turned and stared Mei down, she met his gaze with an undeniable inhumanity behind her eyes.

  "Did you say something?" Mei said. "It almost sounded like-"

  "Let go" Arnimos said.

  His Luxicon Dichotomy drew in power then energy began to flow towards his arm, it flowed upwards through his skin and into Mei's hand. Mei recoiled and drew her hand back. A small nearly imperceptible burn had formed on her hand, it healed the moment later. Arnimos felt that happen, he just reflexively pushed DE through a secondary channel in his Dichotomy. His 2nd Skill.

  Mei looked at her hand then back at him.

  "Quite interesting," Mei said. "Never seen anything like that,"

  "Thank you for your time," Arnimos said.

  Arnimos rushed out of the door before Mei could say anything else, he didn't want to stay in there for any longer. As he rushed out he bumped into John. John stumbled and looked at Arnimos then at the door he left from. It had closed behind him so John couldn't see in. John grew a small grin.

  "Oh my," John said. "Gone for a few minutes and you immediately-"

  "Did you find the guy we were looking for?" Arnimos asked.

  "He did," Bill said. "Dragged me out of a warm embrace,"

  Arnimos looked around then looked down. He saw a short Taniberas man dressed in a bright green suit with a terrible scar running from his chin to a cloudy left eye.

  "Oh- uh- hi," Arnimos said.

  "I dragged you out because we need you for something," John said.

  "Better be better than whores and booze," Bill said. "And nice to meet ya kid, name's Bill,"

  "Arnimos," Arnimos said.

  "Much better," John said. "Gonna rob the Levithan,"

  Bill looked at John then burst out laughing.

  "You son of a bitch!" Bill said. "You're still quite the joker! So what is it you really want?"

  "I wasn't joking," John said.

  Bill gave a chuckle.

  "It was only funny the first time," Bill said.

  John stared him down, Bill's face slowly dawned with realization.

  "You ain't joking," Bill said. "What purpose could you have in robbing that joint,"

  "Alex left me for dead in the desert and took the Page," John said. "Gonna get it back,"

  "God damn," Bill said. "Didn't think Alex had that in 'im,"

  "Rat bastard tried real hard to take me out," John said. "And now we're gonna beat his ass and get the Page back,"

  "Bold plan," Bill said. "And why should i be helping,"

  "Because I know you want any reason to get more money," John said. "And we're gonna get the biggest haul of all,"

  "That's true," Bill said. "But how much are we talking about?"

  "More than enough for you to buy enough whores and booze to last you a century," John said.

  Bill rubbed his chin.

  "That sounds nice," Bill said.

  "And you'd get recognition as one of the men who robbed the Levithan," John said. "That'd be able to get you about anything you want as well,"

  Bill rubbed his chin and nodded his head.

  "You bastard," Bill said. "I'm in,"

  "I'll tell you the plan once we make it," John said.

  "Starting recruitment without a plan?" Bill said. "You are one bold son of a bitch,"

  "Wouldn't get this far without being one," John said.

  "Well," Bill said. "I'll be drinking and plowing whores for a while, come find me once you need me,"

  "See ya later," John said.

  "Talk to ya later," Bill said. "Preferably when i'm not with a lady,"

  "I promise nothing," John said. "Let's go Arnimos,"

  Arnimos nodded and the 2 left. John looked back at Arnimos.

  "Next guy I wanna will probably be in the Rose," John said. "So we're heading there,"

  "Do the people there have more clothes?" Arnimos said.

  "Marginally," John said.

  "What have I been dragged into," Arnimos said.

  "Now let's get going," John said. "Wanna talk to him before he's drunk,"

  The 2 then headed off towards the Rose.