We cut to Arguile and Shanks gathering materials for alchemy when they stumble upon a blue cat. As they continue to walk, they find a concerned-looking gentleman searching for the cat, and the two help the older gentleman reunite with his companion. Only a few moments later, they realize that Shanks’ bag of supplies and Arguile’s haversack are missing. The old man and his cat pickpocketed them. The two split up alongside Scyra, Arguile’s familiar, to track down the man and their stolen goods. Elsewhere, Zechs meets Isolde in the Scholar’s Ward, who is expecting him. She greets him and Duo and asks him to discuss with her what’s been happening to him, sparing no detail as she is in no rush, and the more information she has, the easier it is for her to aid him, if possible. Zechs indulges her and goes on, over some tea and snacks, everything, including Malar. She clarifies what he knows about Malar and the Pantheran Patheon, as well as about his origin and part in all this. The Pantheon are not his siblings but his creation. Zechs is grateful for all the information and thanks her for her time and generosity. Before leaving, she hands him a pendant, tells him to seek out the group that carries the symbol upon it, and gives him a tarot card reading that is appreciated but leaves him much more to ponder. We pick back up to Shanks and Arguile, tracking down the abode of the thief and his cat. Arguile uses Scyra to look at the abode above, and the gentleman suddenly appears in view.

There's so much happening, and that's where we pick up…