Cathedral of the sun, main hall: 12:20 in the morning.

Dozens of children from the cathedral looked from the interior doors to the guest who sat waiting. Hannah and Elsa were great and funny, and although the lioness and the slime werent too talkative they were really cool.
But this man... he was scary without doing anything.

It wasnt just that it looked like something out of an old movie or that it had scars on its face ... it was its serious and inclement expression. "Children! Stop spying!"

Upon hearing Flynn's voice all the children left laughing and joking. Flynn sighed as he leaned against the door, nodding as he thought about why Alfred had shown up so suddenly.

Alfred used to be a very reactive person, so presenting here could only mean that he had been sent. Hannah's footsteps were heard even being a hallway away, causing Flynn to stretch as he prepared to receive them. "Flynn, who has come to see us? Mom has not warned or anything..."

Flynn chuckled as he watched Hannah carry Elsa in her arms, like someone carrying a three-year-old child. "It would be better if the... and Elsa, you who are the adult... be careful with what he says... think very well your answers"

"Understood... I do not like how all this sounds..." Flynn did not wait for an answer, walking down the opposite corridor.

The couple looked at each other momentarily, and after a little moment of concord, Hannah entered the main room.

The guest was sitting on a kind of camping stool, while drinking what the smell should be coffee.In front of him a briefcase was raised, supported by four retractable "legs". The briefcase was closed, acting as a sort of side table. Elsa mentally pointed out that she needed one of those.

"You've had a long time, so I've taken the liberty of pouring myself a cup of coffee, you want one? I dont have cups of your size, Hannah, but I'm sure Flynn does not mind bringing some," Hannah denied as she left Elsa at the table. floor, which way to be in front of the guest.

Alfred put the cup in the briefcase and offered his hand to Elsa. "Finally I can meet you both. My name is Alfred Black, executive director of ashcrew industries, I also act as personal secretary of Lady Maria"

Elsa took his hand, inspecting it discreetly. Alfred could not have been more than 40 years old, and judging by slight height on elsa and his shoulders, he must have had physical training for many years. His hair was completely white, and much of his forehead was scarred. No really deep, but the amount was at least curious.

"As you seem to know, my name is Elsa, Elsa Wood, head of architects of communal home industries, do you have business to attend with us?"

Elsa pulled back slightly so that Hannah took his hand (between two fingers because ... you can already imagine... Hannah was visibly nervous being this her first handshake since the growth).

"And I'm Hannah Reyes... you already know, so this is a bit useless..."

"Never say that Hannah, when two people meet for the first time, the presentation is a key part of that contact." After lightly arranging his glove, Alfred sat back down on his stool. (Elsa managed to see that it really was another smaller suitcase, with the same legs) "I dont want to make you wait any longer, so I'll go straight to the heart of this meeting.

Lady Maria wants to meet you both, and help you with the whole matter of filtering your name to the media. For this purpose, it has moved its floating headquarters to the port of Bahia.

Also, even if it's a secondary issue, considering that you work for Ritchey Lipps, you should know that, Elsa. Lady Maria has signed a business alliance with your company to ensure the construction of Bahia 2.0"

"So that's the hook to tie us, right? She's going to put money for the construction of my utopia. Good move, I must admit "Elsa sighed as she thought because Ritchey had not told her about this before.

"Excuse me getting into the conversation... but why does Lady Maria want to help me? And forgive another question... the Ashcrew group isnt the commercial group that has so many food companies, restaurants and in general... well... those things?"

"It is true that our conglomerate mainly welcomes the food and leisure / entertainment industries... but I dont advise you to underestimate Lady Maria.

Hannah, my lady wants to be your ally and support you, and taking into account that right now are between the decision to support Flynn and the cult of the sun and discover the Sons of the moon that raised the king of the mausoleum... you should talk to her, even if only by shuffling that option"

"So you also know about all this? It does not surprise me, it seems to be an open secret for this city..." Elsa laughed while stroking Hannah's leg, trying to calm her visible nervousness.

"Lady Maria took a long time ago the decision to abandon Calia's path, and at the same time she abandoned the priestess's path. All these years we have focused our efforts to create a path separated from prophecies and superstitions. A road built between lights and shadows.

And now our paths have crossed. Dirty Lover is much more than a name, it is the person who will shape the future.

I know perfectly well that you still do not trust it, Hannah. That's why Lady Maria wants to offer you the possibility to choose. Who knows? Maybe you both can get Flynn and Lady Maria to be reconciled... or that the priestess abandons her chaotic vision of the future.

That only time will tell... so will you accompany me? I have the vehicle parked and ready to take you" Opening the briefcase, Alfred kept the empty cup in it, and with a wrist hit, picked up the legs instantly.

Elsa took a few steps away, and looked Hannah in the eye. Two winks right and one left was his signal to establish a conversation of hearts.

"Should we go"

"But Elsa, you're the one who says we do not trust Flynn!"

"That was only because we only have two options, I've seen in reports that Lady Maria is a very altruistic millionaire... I want to see how many of those stories are just facades"

"The truth... if we can get Flynn to help us, instead of helping them we would be great! Here are a lot of good people, and being able to help everyone would be just perfect..."

"Is this the confirmation that you think you're the Dirty Lover?"

"I dont need to be the Dirty Lover to want to help! Also, that woman is now your boss, should not we make a good impression, dont you think?"

"You always read me the thoughts, my love"

While Hannah swallowed hard, praying that it was just a phrase and Elsa knew nothing of the empathic link, Elsa turned to look at Alfred, who had already collected everything. "We'll go, but I want to take my bodyguard with us, deal?"

Alfred nodded as he started walking toward the cathedral exit, followed by Elsa and Hannah.

Flynn turned off the surveillance camera as he leaned back in his chair. Maria had always been someone of very strong... attitude and personality. Even if they took different paths, they were still bound by destiny.

Sighing, Flynn got up to tell Calia everything. His wife would know how to act... that's what the prophet expected.

Cruise / headquarters of industries Ashcrew,

the "Sparkling Sea": 13:00 in the afternoon.

Hannah, Elsa and Fiona were leaning against the wall of the elevator. According to Alfred, this would take them directly to the Ashcrew mansion. It would be super awesome if it were not because the whole way inside the cruise looked like something out of a fairy tale.

The "Sparkling Sea" average 448 meters in length, being currently the largest private cruise in the world. And that it was at the same time a business building did not take away luxury. Huge and super luxurious corridors. Lifts, restaurants, bars... clubs... a water park... Even Elsa, who had been on several cruises of similar proportions, seemed simply excessive.

"So... That Maria has a mansion on a cruise ship, and she wants to be your ally, let's say yes, right?" Fiona did not bother to hide her emotion. If the slime had eyes, right now they would be showing the symbol of the dollar.

"This may be impressive... but for now let's focus, girls" Elsa looked at Hannah, hoping to see her concentrated. The giantess was the same or worse than Fiona.

"So much... luxury... whatever this elevator costs, everything is so bright..." Elsa sighed as the elevator reached the top.

The sunlight received them, showing before them a huge garden, with an olympic swimming pool on the side accompanied by garden furniture that surely cost the same as the whole house of Juddit.

On the other side of the garden a kind of artificial forest adorned the view, among the trees (which after a second sight did not seem artificial) had built a huge playground, with lianas, bridges, booths and swings on all sides.

The Ashcrew mansion was no less impressive, being at least 4 or 5 stories high. A huge entrance with huge oak doors awaited them.

"The mother of ..." If Elsa was speechless, she didnt need to look to her sides to feel how the spirits of her girlfriend and her bodyguard left their bodies on their way to the heaven of opulence.

Elsa took a while to notice two girls and a boy playing in the playground. One of the girls and the boy seemed to be 6 or 7 years old, while the other girl would not have more than 4. As Elsa walked towards them (followed by two money-zombies) she noticed that both girls were extrahuman, the eldest should be of some feline species, while the girl was undoubtedly an alraune.

"Sorry, Where can I find Ma-" Elsa cut herself at the moment, while the 3 children, noticing the presence of the group, ran out to meet them.

"YOU MUST BE HANNAH AND ELSA! MOMMY WAS WAITING FOR YOU!"

"MITCH, IDIOT! MOMMY HAVE LEFT ME TO ME TO SAY!" The older girl threw herself at her brother's waist, throwing him to the ground and rolling them both on the grass.

"Mommy await Nanna and Elsa!" The smaller one arrived later than her brothers, hugging Elsa's legs.

"I see, so little flower, can you guide us?" The little girl nodded happily, and pointed to the door. "Ove thee! Mommy room there!"

Maria's Office: Same moment.

"They're already here, are all the preparations ready?" Maria hung up the phone, looking at her children.

"Of course, mother! I have cleared the path of children until here, so once the guides bring them, nothing will interrupt the course of this meeting!" Adell smiled confidently, securing points with his mother.

"How did you do it?"

"I bought 3 movies, I put them all in the living room next to popcorn, sodas, sweets and their phones, and when they were all inside... BAM! I locked the door! All clean and without errors, dear mother" Maria shook her head, not swallowing her son's flattery.

"Mommy, forgive the question but are you sure it's a good idea? We do not know if Hannah wants to be the Dirty Lover..." Victoria slumped in her chair, visibly annoyed.

"Do not be a kid, Vic. Hannah is the Dirty Lover, the road she takes will only determine how it will be, or... someone is jealous?" Adell stood back in his seat, dodging his little sister's punch.

"Children, you are the oldest! Dont get into a fight like this! We have to make a good impression on Hannah, but especially on Elsa, she is the most observant and thoughtful, so we have to win her good first. Will you be able to dont lose the opportunity?"

Her two older sons nodded, and just in time. The computer screen showed how the couple made contact with Mitchell, Naiara and Ky. The twins seemed to be fighting, but Ky had managed to guide Elsa correctly.

Maria drank the whiskey she had left in one gulp and closed the laptop screen.

It was now or never.