NationStates Jolt Archive

"It's nice to know that you have other peoples' feelings in the equation." Haruim replied sarcastically. "What if it was one sided?"

“Same thing, I’ll be pissed.” he said with a smile. “Where is this cellar at? I want to get back to see if anybody else is fighting over dumb things.”

"Hmm." Haruim said, as they finally reached the long ending, winding hallway, finally seeing the long stone door as she opened it slowly, the creaking dust billowing out, her eyes tearing slightly in irritation. "Looks like nobody has been here in a while." She said, yet a small clank was heard.

"Haruim? Darkholme?" Geriuusk asked in the darkness, a bottle of wine clutched in his hand, the fuming scent strong as he looked up at them both. "You're both here?" He asked, before a sly smile ran across his face. "Eh...what happened to Suriga, Haruim?"

Haruim blushed slightly. "Idiot." She said calmly. "Do you think I'd fall for such a predictable guy as him?" She asked Geriuusk, referring to Darkholme. "I'm not one to fall victim to looks."

Geriuusk sighed. "That's true, that's true. How many confessions from Genkon have you denied? 5?" He asked.

"32." Haruim said calmly.

"He never gives up, does he?" Geriuusk said, before swigging a bottle of wine.

Farkas just ignored them and looked around the cellar for some good stuff. He wanted them get drunk, so he would have a fun time watching to look like drunk idiots. His eyes moved over the bottles, looking for the good stuff.

"We just need to get some things, nothing much." Haruim said, grabbing entire bottles by the handful, already with five in her possession as she walked up the dusty stone steps towards the light back towards the rotunda. "I'll leave you here. Hurry up, you two."

“What’s her problem?” asked Farkas out loud to nobody. He grabbed a couple of well aged bottles of some type of wine. And grabbed some more. At the end, he had over ten bottles and he laughed as he carried them back to the rotunda.

"Haruim is a very proud woman. Though, I'm not at liberty to say why she loves Suriga. It's a secret between two old friends of the sword." Geriuusk said deeply, smiling.

“Ah…” he said as e moved towards the rotunda. He move faster then early and still didn’t drop a single bottle. He did look funny carrying those ten bottles.

The rotunda was a hive of brilliance amongst the usual dark and damp place, gloomy and without emotion. However, now, it was dressed up in a bright and cheerful glamor, entire trays of food lined up beautifully. Golden fried shrimp alongside bountiful trays of spiced steak and lemon ham, massive tarts of blueberry cream and strawberry slices carved into perfection amidst chocolate wine. It was a dazzling display of food, with a long tower of fresh warm pizza simmering perfectly under a dense magenta flame of a light.

Geriuusk smiled, placing the alcohol down on the table, looking around as he took up a plate of steak, reaching for a fork as he smiled in excitement. Nearby, Gengur was sitting down, chewing down on the pizza as Vijun drank tea from his usual sitting position, ignoring everything around him. Mengiko sat on the opposite side of Hamruun, as they both drank heavily, staring at each other with loathsome eyes. Haruim had already loosened her uniform quite a bit, revealing a long, slender figure underneath, built and carved diligently from years of difficult exercise and military labor. She carried herself elegantly, her long hair flowing down to her waist, much longer than seemingly first expected.

She was eating a small tray of chocolates, staring at the window with slightly blank eyes as Genkon nearby seemed to be drinking heavily with his friends, all of whom were cheering with jarring voices him onwards. However, nearby, stood a guest that was of great importance. Standing at the table, taking up a few slices of pizza, stood Ashili, her long black obsidian blade at her waist.

Farkas placed his ten bottles on the table before looking around at the action in the rotunda. He watched the White Captains as they did whatever they were doing. He smiled at his mother before walking over to her.

“I bet you don’t have any blood on you, right?” he asked before some tapped his shoulder. He spun around to met eyes of his father.

“Here.” he said, pouring the red stuff into Farkas’ glass.

“Thank you.” said the White Temsplace, taking a drink.

"Ashili." Geriuusk said, his hand placed softly on her shoulder. "Are you alright?" He asked, his face turning into a serious, sorrowful face, and for the first time, the expression had suited him well. Ashili nodded quite nonchalantly.

"I'm fine." She said, sitting down, as Geriuusk took his hand off,placing it on his head along with his other hand. "How's Ferruga?" He asked, as Ashili shrugged.

"I don't know." She said, taking a small bite of her food. "I haven't talked to Ferruga in a while." She replied, as Hamruun coughed slightly, forcing a frown on her face. "Brother's hit too?" She asked, as Geriuusk nodded.

"Yes. Three of us are hit, and it's becoming a nuisance." Geriuusk said, rolling up his sleeve to reveal a throbbing, greenish skin as he pressed it softly, pungent blood dripping out slowly. "Although I'm sure it won't kill us, it's a very dangerous and dilapidating condition." He said, looking at Gengur.

"The three of you. It should be four, shouldn't it?" Ashili said, moving her collar down slightly, revealing a similar wound. "I'm not sure why the Krykkioz affects and hits people so fast." She said, before taking another minuscule bite.

“You know, father,” started Farkas taking a seat next to Edward, “I’m going have to get a home here in the capital. I’ll need to be close enough because we’re the protectors of this city and the throne.”

“I’ll see what’s open here.” said Edward, slipping his red stuff.

“Can you see about a large piece of land near the capital? I need somewhere to house my Temsplaces at.” said Farkas.

“I’ll see about that, too.” said the Prince of Ice with a smile.

"You know, it was bit odd." Ashili said, before a blast of jettisoning magenta inferno engulfed through the topmost end of the rotunda's ceiling, a smash of stone falling down as Ferruga's blade saved him, a thick shield-shaped sword as it fanned the sharp falling rocks out of his harm's way. Frowning, he looked up as the other White Captains followed through action.

Above, stood a frowning figure, clad in black, his face hidden by a thin black veil as he wore a crisp jet black suit. Tied to his back was a long, heavy-looking rocket launcher as at his waist laid a long curved sword, very much like a crescent-like katana, yet it was of much longer length, nearly triple his body as he stood, and he was quite a tall person to begin with. He stood there, quiet, his eyes shimmering from above, yet it was visible; one was emerald green, while the other was a golden vermilion; a heterochromic man. There he stood, looking still, as Ashili stood up, her hand feeling cold as she gently pressed her fingers against the butt of her rifle, ready to open fire should he do anything. Another figure stood from the shadows, beside him, with long silvery hair.

Both of them seemed to have a number painted on their left cheek, while the first was a six, the other was an eight.

"It looks like we have a guest." Suriga said, standing there. watching as they both stood there, quietly, before they looked around, disappearing as Haruim opened fire, tearing the ceiling apart as she frowned. "What was that?" He asked.

"I don't know." Ushuimaru said, getting up. "Activate the inner defenses. Line the autoturrets, open the Serpentara hatches." He ordered, as the other White Captains clamored into action. "We need to capture them and see what is going on."

“Can’t we have a party without party crashers, can we?” said Farkas, putting the Wild One out of nowhere. Well, it was somewhere. It was under a table. It was still cool because it wasn’t there then it was right. Farkas Darkholme, the white magician.

“This is a fun party!” said Edward with a smile. Drawing his pistols, he looked around. “Whom were those people?”

"Genous terrigraan." Ushuimaru said, as the autoturrets flailed alive, coming out of every corner as their familiar quiet beeps were heard as the tinkering of their gears barely audible. "Find the intruders." He ordered, as Mengiko and Geriuusk went to the left wing, Haruim and Hamruun dashed to the right wing, and Vijun stayed there, sitting quietly as Genkon went to the south wing.

"Captain Farkas, go with Captain Genkon to the south wing." Ushuimaru said sternly.

“Okay.” said Farkas moving behind Genkon. The Wild One in his hands, ready to roar in the darkness.

Edward looked over at his wife. “Looks like we aren’t need.” he said, rolling his eyes.

She had no reply. Instead, Ashili had a set of surprised eyes in her sockets, wide in semi-surprise and terror as she gasped abruptly, hyperventilating. "It can't be." She said, clutching her chest in pain. "It can't be..." She continued.

"It is." Vijun spoke aloud, as Ushuimaru walked off. He sipped his tea daintily, before looking back at Ashili. "They're here, and they've come for you, Ashili. It's time to join your comrades." He said, nodding.

Meanwhile, as Genkon searched, he sighed to Farkas. "A party is destroyed already. The pay might be good, but I don't enjoy these hours very much." He complained half-heartedly.

“Forget me for being out of the loop, but whom is here for my wife?” asked Edward, his customized .45 ACP pistols loaded with armor piecing bullets. He stood there like was ready for a fight. A pistol in each hand, an impish smile on his lips, the Prince of Ice was ready to fight.

“True, we do have some messed up hours. Why don’t these people give up and stop trying to take the throne?” asked Farkas as he moved to find these party crashers.

"The Genkosk." Vijun said, frowning. "I never thought that they would actually attack so soon."

"Currently the market value for the eastern corporate entity is 7.54 billion dollars in shares. Add that into the funded intervention of the Tsellian Enterprises, that makes it 366 billion dollars in shares. Add in the Tsellian Church, a powerful religious body, that makes the Jenrakian throne, which doubles as the Tsellian throne, to nearly a couple hundred trillion. It's an expensive throne to maintain." Genkon said, walking along. "And that's not to mention the further projectionist shoot-off religious bodies that answer to the Tsellian. Religion is a powerful way to make money." He explained.

"It's not for money." A voice said, as a tall, lanky man with a long winding scythe stood, his clothing the same as the ones before; a crisp black suit, with his eyes in different shades. "We are trying to achieve a different purpose, which will be made clear soon enough." He said, standing there, looking at them both. "We ask that you tolerate our actions for now."

Edward spun, both pistols pointed at the tall, lanky man. His ice blue eyes locked onto the man. His trigger fingers ready to unleash the wraith of a two anger gods of metal.

“Tolerate your actions for now? I don’t think so.” he said.

"Why not?" He asked, frowning. "Surely, you understand our objective; to convince Aeray Evergone to join her fellow Genkosk." He said, his eyebrows raised, as a dark 12 was visible on his cheek.

Meanwhile, in the south wing, Genkon frowned as he saw two figures standing side by side. One of them had his hands crossed about his chest, his eyes blank and stern, his face fair yet dangerously pale, his lips cut past his jaw into some sort of distorted sorrowful frown. His eyes devoid of eyelids, they were both raw red, yet they still carried the same thing; heterochromia. One of them, a silvery shade of smoke blue, the other a lastingly colorful green. On his cheek, there was seemingly no number.

The second man was significantly larger, lankier, taller. He carried himself professionally, his crisp suit impeccable, his back carrying a longbow rifle as his waist carried three massive longswords. He frowned as well, and his pale skin was in stark contrast to his medium build. On his cheek, a deep black 11 was visible.

"Hmm?" Genkon said, looking at him. "Who are you?" He asked, his hand on his sword.

"Bedekro Horu." The large one said, as the smaller one stayed quiet.

“My wife isn’t one of you anymore. She changed and left you all.” said Edward. “Right, Ash?”

Meanwhile, in the south wing, Farkas dropped down and placed the short person in his sights. Looking through the scope of the Wild One, “So, Captain Genkon, do we take them alive or dead?” he asked.

"Nimeru konesko nuzuukuun shaatsu." Ashili whispered, clutching her chest tightly in pain, as the tall man stood in silence, frowning.

"Ashili Evergone might not want to, but what about Aeray Orodome?" He asked Edward, a wicked smile on his face. "More than one soul occupies that body, ya know. That's why she's one of us." He replied.

"Violence isn't the answer to this issue." The small one spoke finally, his face unchanging as Bedekro laughed with amusement.

"Look at these punks." He said, pointing at the two White Captains. "Getting all rowdy and ecstatic like a bunch of kids. Well I'll be - " He said, before the small one's fist smashed itself into the stone wall, a clean hole visible as he retracted it, blood spraying slightly, a frown of fear from Bedekro's face. "M-Miriana." He said, stuttering slightly.

"I told you, Bedekro, they are White Captain class opponents. Lord Arborgard warned us of their battle tenacity, so we must take utmost caution against them." Miriana, the short one, said humbly, before looking at Farkas and Genkon. "So, will you two please let us pass without harm?"

“Just go before you end up dead.” said Edward with his impish grin. Nobody has ever been lucky and dodged the fire from Edward’s pistols. Even with two of the them, he was still damn good with them. He always make sure that each round counts.

“I don’t think so. You and your friends crashed a party, doing that invaded a place that you shouldn‘t be in. So, you’ll be harmed to get pass us.” said Farkas, still targeting the short one.

"Oh, a death threat." He said, frowning. "I can't say I enjoy meeting your husband, Ashili. I bet Aeray must be annoyed by his cocky attitude." He said, looking at Ashili, before her left eye turned a blood red.

"You're damn right I am!" Ashili shrieked, clutching her chest in pain, her voice hoarse and evil, her eyes wide in discontent as she roared with anger, before it returned to her normally soft tone, her eye color regaining normality. The man smiled.

"Will you give up your wife for a little while?" He asked Edward. "I promise to return her in one piece."

"Us?" Miriana asked, looking at Hedekro, before he placed his face in his hand. "The idiots. Look. I'm sorry for those two and their behavior, but we found it difficult to get through normally using the front door. So, will you let us pass?" He asked again.

“The answer is no. She isn’t one of you.” yelled Edward. To make sure he got his point across, he aimed at the ground in front of the man. Squeezing the trigger, the bullet flew from his pistol and impacted an inch from the man’s feet. “The next one will be in you. Leave!” he said, raising the pistol at the man’s upper torso.

“Are you that dumb?” asked Farkas. “You’re not passing us.” His trigger finger hovering in front of the trigger to the Wild One. If the two people moved forward, Farkas would turn them into Swiss cheese

"You might think I'm fairly primitive for using a scythe." He said, sighing. "But it's not that I'm primitive, but that I find that the weapon used now, a gun, has reached its limit in terms of application." He said, looking at Ashili. "You don't understand how powerful she really is. She might even be able to beat Lord Miriana if she tries." He said, holding the blade of his scythe to his stomach.

Miriana frowned. Due to the propulsion of his weapon, the movement of a bullet reaches a maximum possible 1200 meters per second. There's a .21 second delay between the bullet and the ignition collaborating, resulting in a negative force loss. The time delay between his finger and its press takes .03 seconds, meaning movement will require .24 seconds of action to calculate the angle and trajectory of every bullet fired at me. Can you do that, Medelias? He thought, before a hacking, hoarse and evil voice replied in his mind. Easy. Though you'll feel it in the morning. Miriana nodded to himself. "Hedekro, kill them." He ordered.

Hedekro nodded, taking out his sword - a longsword with an odd series of barrels on its hilt, a small trigger hidden at its end. It was a combination of a gun and a sword, and he held it straight at Farkas, as Genkon took out his sword.

“Catch!” taunted Edward as he fired two bullets at the man’s knees. It was to test this person. And see what he could do. Plus, nobody is fast enough to dodge a bullet unless you’re a vampire and even they get hit.

Farkas smiled, knowing that in this hallway, which wasn’t that wide, nobody could dodge gunfire.

“Nice gun-blade.” he said. He was holding onto the Wild One level with his left hand, but there was something else in it. Something round and dark green. Before the party got to full swing, the White Temsplace started it by sending that round object flew at the two people.

The round object was about to show its true natural, one of a frag grenade.

As that flew in the air, Farkas squeezed the trigger and held on the Wild One to get his shots on target. He was going to use all hundred rounds, if need. So, he wasn’t taking his finger off of the trigger. Using his vampire side, he controlled the assault rifle as it went full-auto.

The man moved his scythe down, deflecting both bullets as he moved them back into position at his stomach. "Do you honestly think that we don't do our research? I know all about your kind." The man said, his left eye growing more prominent. "Shame the sunlight isn't out right now, but there is something I can do." He said, as explosions rocked around him.

"Quite expected." Miriana said, getting up from the raised marble tiles, using it to block the brunt of the attacks, his pinky showing a small cut across its end, yet it seemed to be nothing. "Show Captain Darkholme what we are, Hedekro." Miriana said, as Hedekro nodded, firing his gun with utmost accuracy, Genkon blocking most of the shots as his Aikurun blocked the rest. Slashing forwards, Genkon was blocked by Hedekro's, before a strong splash was heard in Genkon's stomach, forcing him a step back as he blocked Hedekro's attack.

Miriana frowned. "Tell me, Captains. Have you done your research on Arborgard the Twelfth?" He asked, as the nails within the walls ripped out of the drywall, flying around violently as the debris flung like shrapnel in every direction. "Are you aware of the Elegance project.?"

“Shame that my father isn’t here.” said Edward with a smile. He looked over at the White Captains in the room, but keep an ear on that person’s heartbeat. “Maybe I’m a little rude about this, but are you two not going to do your jobs? he asked. “I’m a better gunfighter then a swordsmen.”

“Have you heard of being loyal subjects?” asked Farkas, dodging the incoming nails heading toward him. It come out of it without a wound on his whole body. “I’m tried of these people.” he said dropping the rifle and drawing Irigi.

"Do you need my help?" Vijun asked, as Ushuimaru looked at the reports busily.

"We subject to nobody." Mariana said, as he began to walk forwards, Hedekro having his sword out, ready to fight Farkas. As Genkon slashed forwards, Mariana frowned, standing still before another gust of power jettisoned the nails out once more from the walls. "I asked you a question, which unlike yours, is important." He said coldly. "Tell me what you know of the Elegance Project."

“I told you that I’m a better gun fighter then a swordsmen.” said Edward. “And scythe boy blocked my two shots, so somebody with a sword need to deal with him.”

Looking back at scythe boy, which was Edward’s new name from him, Edward smiled. “Calling all swordsmen in this room, there is a pest that needs to be deal with.” he said.

“I don’t care about some old program.” said the young man that was Farkas. He hated the people whom talk during fights. It drives him nuts.

"Have you tried using strength rather than speed?" Vijun asked, raising his sword, holding it out. Rushing forwards, Vijun slashed as the man swung down, yet his knuckles caught it swiftly, allowing his sword to slash him in the stomach with a clean swing.

"I understand." He said, holding his hand out, tightening his palm as Genkon's steel wing-like claws were torn from his back, his blade ripped from his hand, landing on Miriana's back and in his hands as he stood there, frowning. Genkon fell down in a bloodied heap, a giant scar in his shoulder blades.

Edward didn’t answer Vijun because it would be useless. He was only armed with pistols and using speed would only work with them. He moved over to Ashili, placed himself between the stranger and Vijun, holstering his pistols, looking into her eyes.

“Ashili, I know our love can hold back your other side. You need to recreate a mental block on her. She was freed because you almost died.” he said, taking her hands within in his. “You’re the smart thinking one, she’s the crazy one. Block her before she takes over and does something that will harm somebody you love.

South Wing…

Farkas looked down at Genkon and back at the other two. [I]“Time out, I need to do something.” he said, using his left hand to take his radio out.

“Help is need in the south wing. Medical help is need for a captain. Captain Genkon is down.” he said in the radio. “I’m out numbered by two people.”

Placing the radio up, he looked over at the two. “Before I move, tell what you are.” he said, holding Irigi in his hands.

Genkon groaned, raising himself up. "Captain Darkholme, you prick." He said angrily, rising up, a torrential rain of blood splashing from his shoulders. "Don't think that a White Captain can do down so easily." He said, smiling, as Hedekro sneered, slashing down as Genkon caught it between his knees, twisting his back as he smashed him in the face, sending him reeling back as Genkon chuckled. "We're not the elite for nothing, you know." He said, going into stance, as Miriana's hand outreached itself.

"The time to fight is not now." Miriana said, an uneasy pressure in the air as a booming noise was heard all around, as if in some kind of shock-wave, before a dazzling wall of flame separated itself between the four of them. There, Suriga frowned, looking at both sides, a stare of disgust on his face.

"I had thought something was odd, Miriana." Suriga said, looking at Farkas and Genkon, before turning his attention to the other two. "You're fighting against each other already? This is odd."

As Ashili struggled, a needle was plunged deep into her neck, as she slowly quietened down, revealing a long, burnt hand in reddish-brown wraps, a cold and empty stare Arborgard stood above them, looking at them both. "As much as emotions could become a stronghold, they're worthless compared to the strength of Aeray Orodome." Arborgard told Edward, sitting down as Vijun's sip of tea was loudly heard. "Maiko, why didn't you do anything?"

"If the time comes when Aeray is unleashed, I will do what is necessary." Vijun said monotonously, forcing a frown on Arborgard.

"As the founder of the project, you should be the one who's trying to fix its offspring." Arborgard replied. "They're getting impatient."

“You’ll still need medical help.” said Farkas looking at Genkon. He smiled and looked over at Suriga. “They wanted pass, but I didn’t think it was a good idea. So, milord, do you know these people?” he asked.

Edward sighed at Arborgard. “She had it blocked away from a long time. I haven’t see that part of her until now.” he said. “And you look like hell. How did you live through that fall and etc? I watched you die.” Edward did watch Arborgard kill himself by eating a flame grenade or holding it and falling off of the tower.

"It's not that hard to survive when you're the one planning your own execution. Especially if its fake. I'll explain once everyone is gathered." Arborgard said, wrapping his body back into one whole, his burnt skin invisible beneath a pale white silvery robe.

"They are our allies. The personal bodyguards to my brother." Suriga replied. "Just like how you are mine." He stood up, placing his sword back into his sheath, the small ruby gems on the sheath lighting up before it closed back down, allowing him to think. "We need to return to the rotunda."

Edward didn’t answer. He only took a seat and looked at Arborgard.

“Then why didn’t they say that.” said Farkas, placing his sword back in its stealth. Picking up his Wild One, he started back to the rotunda.

Miriana sighed, watching Farkas walk off, as Genkon was slowly being aided by the medical unit. I did. He thought to himself, before Suriga walked off.

Arriving at the rotunda, the White Temsplace looked around at everything and everybody. He stopped on Arborgard and smiled. He walked over to his father’s side and placed a fresh drum into his Wild One.

"Well, now that we've all become accustomed, let's give a big hand to our guests of honor, the Genkosk." Suriga said, pointing to Miriana and Hedekro. "They are the bodyguards of my brother, whom will explain everything."

"Over the next few days, each White Captain, with the exception of Ishidun Geriuusk, will undergo psychological training." Arborgard spoke. "I will be honest. When Jenrak gained independence in the late seventies, there were enemies that we couldn't face; the Rithos Empire, the Sandurian confederacy, the Krejei, the Ssessloths. As a small country on the brink of another civil war, we had to lure their leaders out, and that was what I meant by faking my own death. By seemingly dying, I have placed Jenrak as an apparently ripe apple with a vicious worm."

Suriga spoke up. "In other words, ever since my brother's staged death, every single one of you have been influenced and moved in a way so that we can systematically, one by one, eliminate our foes. The Kaenoskista, the Gengo, the Krejei rebels, the Rithos Lords, all of them. Bit by bit, we stage things piece by piece and allow them to show themselves, to regularly make ourselves look weak so we may rid out country of foes. However, there is one foe left." Suriga replied, sighing. "And this enemy has no need to hide from us."

"The Vizuun. The deadliest of warriors, the most dangerous of masters that have taken up a stronghold in Jenrak. We don't know exactly where they are located, but lately they've been active in hunting us down. Therax himself was a Vizuun, and he controlled the true crown of Tsellia, an entire religion. Imagine the damage the rest of them could do." Suriga continued. "That's why we have acquired the help of the Genkosk, the Elegance Epitome."

Arborgard spoke this time. "The Genkosk are my personal bodyguards. They all carry a distinct marking somewhere on their body, signifying their strength. There are 20 in number, and the higher the number, the stronger they get. This is Hedekro, and Miriana. Number 11, and Number 20." He said, looking at the two, as they nodded in reply.

Miriana spoke, revealing his 20 on his collarbone. "That's right. Although the White Captains are a powerful faction, we Genkosk are capable of fighting toe to toe against you when we are in Collaboration. This proves true for the higher level Genkosk as well, such as I. I don't need Collaboration to defeat a White Captain, which is why as of today, me and my brothers will be training each and every single one of you the strength of Collaboration."

“So…my blood got me in trouble by shooting at my ally.” said Edward with a smile. “Sorry, I’m a cocky foreign prince. Anyways, where does my wife come in play? Scythe boy wanted her to come with him.”

“Plus, with both of you alive and kicking, whom is the King of Jenrak?” asked the Prince of Ice.

"That would be me." Suriga said, frowning. "Arborgard never was the King. It was merely for staged purposes, though I was the one running the show in the past." Arborgard nodded, sitting down. "The partition of apparent political power lies entirely in my hands, and ever since my staged rebellion, I've been trying to keep things under control. However," He continued, "the rise of the Vizuun occurred much faster than I hoped, and unless the White Captains can adapt and become stronger fast enough, there isn't a chance we stand against them."

Miriana spoke this time. "Hence, we will be assignment brothers to each Captain, and we will be teaching you Collaboration."

“Lovely, but did you have to crash the party like y’all did?” asked Edward with a smile. “There is a door called the front door. Using the front door doesn’t make you look like the enemy.”

Farkas smiled, but held back his laughter caused by his father.

"As I said, there are a few who find it better to come in with a bang. Though I'll fix that quickly enough." Miriana said sternly, as he closed his eyes, a blast of shockwaves rumbling around the area as the air became thick and heavy to breathe, metal objects flying around as finally two figures flew out from the darkest corners, carried by the steel collars around their necks, smashing onto the floor near Miriana as they began to choke dangerously under the intense atmosphere. Vijun stood there, quiet, watching Ashili intently, as she clutched her heart, blood slowly drumming from her ears.

Suriga held Arborgard down, who was throbbing fairly strongly, as Miriana's odd atmosphere made them wonder what it truly was.

Edward looked over at Ashili after those two arrived form the shadows. He cocked his head to the side and saw her ears were bleeding. “Ashili, what’s wrong with you?” he asked.

Farkas looked over by then. “Mother?” came out of his mouth.

Ashili's left eye turned from a vibrant magenta to a golden vermilion; she became heterochromic. Frowning she looked at Edward, frowning. "Hmm?" She asked, her voice the same, yet her tone different, her fingers no longer elegantly smooth and swiftly soft. They were harsh, inelegant, coarse, lining along the edge of her sword's hilt as she looked around, finally meeting eyes with Miriana, an evil sneer on her face. Miriana closed his eyes, as if sighing.

"Aeray." Miriana said, as Aeray stood up, her blade smashing into the floor, as Vijun rose up, his robe falling down slightly to reveal his right hand gripping a sword. "You're finally back from all this."

"Back?" She asked, frowning, as Miriana nodded.

"It's been a long time. Twenty two years, am I correct?" He asked her, as she frowned. "Yes, twenty two years. Our last encounter seemed to be the Battle of Kelekuluuk, where Nahk lost his left hand, right? As well as most of his body afterwards."

She laughed sadistically. "Where is Nahk?" She asked, looking around, unfamiliar with those around her.

"He's dead. A long, long time." Vijun spoke, as Aeray sneered at him, before Ferruga walked out, a shocked face adorning her. Dropping her sword, she ran towards Ferruga with expectant arms, flying into his as she hugged him tightly, smiling.

"Dad." She whispered softly, as Ferruga frowned, before locking into a melancholic stare. "I've missed you."

He placed his hand on her head gently, as if he was a father trying to calm a worried child. "You've been gone a long time, Aeray." He said, closing his eyes.

Turning to Edward and Farkas, Miriana grabbed both of the intruding Genkosk and sighed. "Your son will be undergoing training with my brother, Dedelaox, a number 14 Genkosk." He said, as the shockwaves emanating from him died down slowly. "Any questions about anything?"

Edward wasn’t paying attention to Miriana, he was more focused on his wife and Ferruga. He was even watching Vijun because of his actions. He didn’t say a single word, but looked at those three people.

“My father isn’t here right now.” said Farkas looking at Miriana. “I don’t think my mother is either. Her body is here, but Aeray isn’t my mother.”

"Aeray is a psychopath that needs to be locked." Miriana said, looking at the quiet Aeray. "She is certainly someone much more dangerous to cross than Ashili Evergone, as my left eye has shown." He said, taking out his left eye, revealing it to be made of some sort of carbon material, a thick, viscous feeling to it as it bobbed and slipped round in his fingers, before he placed it back in. "In the land of the blind, the one eyed man is king."

"That will describe the White Captains very soon." Vijun said, walking to Aeray as he pressed her vertebrae, her eye color changing back to its original magenta shade. "Welcome back, Ashili."

“Same thing about in the land of the no armed men, the one armed man is king. There are many other saying like those.” said Edward. He watched Vijun press her vertebrae to bring Ashili back. He would have to remember that.

“So…when does my training start?” asked Farkas.

"Now." Miriana said, turning around as he walked off, looking at Vijun, who nodded.

"Six pillars, full of fire." Vijun said, closing his eyes, as from the doors came a tall, lanky, fairly handsome long haired, cold faced man with a silver left eye and a black right eye. His hair was crimson, and when he spoke, it was a cold, remorseless shiver.

"Dedelaox Hikamuun. Genkosk number 13." He said, frowning.

Farkas looked at the man before smiling. “Captain Farkas Darkholme, the White Temsplace, let’s get this start.” he said. He looked at the man’s eyes, both weren’t the same color. It was strange, but he knew of a few people that were the same way. One of his Temsplace had one yellow eye and a red eye.

"First off, you need not worry about your eye color changing shape. It's how we as Genkosk distinguish ourselves from others. However." He said, frowning again. "When you are collaborating with your inner demons, you will be changing your left eye color subconsciously." He spoke. "Now, do you know what collaboration is?"

“I like my inner demons, they're fun to be around.” said Farkas with a smile. His face grew serious. “Stop me when I land on something you like. Teamwork, partnership, cooperation…” he started. He paused at the end, to see what Dedelaox would say.

"Exactly." Dedelaox replied. "The soul is split into six portions; the mind, the nerve, the perception, the personality, the endangered, and most importantly, the will to live. When you are faced in a dangerous situation, remember that your will to live becomes a sentient will of its own." He said, raising his fist, taking up a boxing stance against Farkas. "When you're in danger, you naturally increase your awareness. However, you're not the one controlling it."

“I’m following you.” said Farkas, stepping back a few steps. His face showed a quizzed look on it. “Are you going to fight me?”

"No." He said, closing his eyes, as he clenched his jaws, blood spurting from his ears and his nose as he clenched further, running from his mouth before he opened his eyes, lifting his foot slightly before smashing it deep down into the concrete floor, breaking it cleanly as he lifted it back up. "That's the power of collaboration."

“Nice.” was all Farkas said. Using the power of collaboration would allow him to do more damage. Add it to his already vampire strength, Farkas could level some buildings.

“It’s not as easy to develop, however. It requires psychological fortitude, that, as seen from your mother, does not develop easily.” He raised his fist, revealing a small black needle. “However, there is a way to do it. Neural manifestation.” Dedalaox raised up the needle, handing it out to Farkas. “You will be out of it, so you’ll have to get yourself ready. Inject this into your upper artery above your left forward. You’ll feel a painful, intense burning sensation. Your left eye will feel like it will pop up. Endure it until it closes.”

“Pain. I know that feeling.” said Farkas, taking the needle. “My flesh was burned off as I saved Lizard. I had no skin, no hair for weeks. That was painful.” He smiled, moving the needle to his upper artery over his left eye. Without taking anymore time, he injects into the upper artery. He feel the pain as he slide out of the needle, but his face didn’t show it.

Blackness was enveloping, like a soft, sudden sleep in a brisk of coldness within the heat of the sands, the smallness of the noise within the thump heard nothing as a chill ran about, before Farkas would find himself within a giant black coffin of a box, a white square visible on the bottom, shining with a piercing ray before dying off into nothingness. From here, a shadowy figure stood, a woman clad in a blackness of dark jet-like tones, her hair long and straight yet her face strong and tense. She had an evil glare, her eyes pitch black amidst a white flesh, her skin pale and ghost-like. At her hands, an enormous, yet broken Temsplace blade was visible, and it looked exactly like Irigi's first transformation; jagged, sharp, eerie.

When she spoke, however, her voice was not that of a woman's, but of Farkas'. It was an odd, yet mysterious sight, for this woman to stand there, her voice as deep and ragged as his, her eyes showing the same furious stare. "Hello, Farkas." She said, almost like a distant echo.

Farkas looked around before focusing on the woman, which had his voice. That was messing with his head as he tried to figure what was going on. He was placing a needle into his upper artery one minute and now he was in…darkness.

“Umm…hello.” he said, looking at the woman.

"So, you've finally opened up your psyche, your soul, and your sanity. You're no longer sane, Farkas, like me." She said, smiling, an evil sneer running across her face. "Welcome to my hell, this blackness. Every waking moment you've enjoyed in life, I've been here, stuck like a moth in a cage, drawn to a flame. I've been trying to get my way out of here, but it looks like you've come to me. Good." She said, continuing her sneer. "Do you know where we are?"

“I don’t think I have ever been sane.” started Farkas, not knowing what to do. He couldn’t keep his eyes off of this strange woman. “I think we’re in my mind. You’re my inner demon. Nice to meet you.” he said with a impish smile.

"Inner demon?" She asked him, smiling. "I'm in no way an inner demon. I'm part of you, engraved into your mind. You just never acknowledged my existence, but I acknowledged yours. You are the dominant, yes, the King of your domain." She raised her broken Irigi. "But, I am the king of mine. Can you ever hope to dominate and conquer both domains? If you can't, your physical body will die."

“This is it. To control both domains, we’ll have to fight. By fighting, we’ll both be losers in the long run. We live in the same body, so we’ll know each other’s moves.” said Farkas, his left hand on Irigi’s hilt. He smiled. “But I can control both domains by collaboration.” His hand started tapping the hilt as his eyes stayed on her.

"You don't understand what collaboration?" She asked, smiling. "The partnership or acceptance of one body with another. You said it yourself, didn't you?" She sneered evilly. "There's only one way to settle things, because you only settle things in one way. You love to fight, you seek to fight, and because of that, so do I." She replied, holding her broken Irigi with powerful speed, equal to Farkas, the blade tipped behind. "You're right. We're exactly the same in every single way, save for one thing. You've become isolated."

Farkas smiled and drew Irigi in one solid move. “Peer from your Shell, Irigi.” came from his mouth. Irigi transformed in it first form, the unbroken Irigi that she had. With a smile on his face, he moved towards her. “Yup, I do love to fight.”

"Exactly." She said, holding it carefully, closing her eyes as she swung the blade up, smashing against the hilt, turning the jagged teeth into a barrage of winding blades like a chainsaw. "Pity you never bothered to figure out what it does, didn't you?" She asked, the whirring of blades audible as she lunged forwards, her arm out to stab at him with a blunt end.

“My life has been a little nuts lately.” he said, before pushed backwards to dodge the attack. “You live in my mind, so you know what it is like.” He back flipped out of the range of her attacks. “But there is something I have learned. I own the biggest chainsaw in the world.”

He laughed and moved back in with an attack of his own.

She sneered, blocking the attack flawlessly. "We're both in this together, Farkas!" She cried out in amusement, with a sadistic undertone in her voice. "If I suffer, you suffer! If you suffer, I suffer! And do you know why? Because, you're king of this domain, and I am lord of this mere blackness." She spoke, a brightness to her as her skin glowed with a soft paleness. "I despise the blackness. The more you attempt to push me into the back of your mind, the more blackness I am engulfed in." She swung the sword to the side, arching her back.

Farkas blocked the attack like he saw it coming. Well, in some ways, he did see it coming. “I didn’t even knew you existed until now. So, how could I push you in the backs of my mind?” he asked, locking his sword with her broken blade. “You hate this blackness, but I love it as I can see in it. You’re the dark and I’m the light.”

Using the locked blades, he pushed himself into the air and away from her. “We could do this for hours and hours to only end up with both of us tired and still kings of our own domains.” he said, an impish smile on his lips.

"Ah, but I'll be the one who will win in the end." She said, cackling. "Because your body in the real world will die and deteriorate. But I, I will continue to languish in darkness and blackness. You're right." She said, swinging back down. "I am your complete opposite. You are a male who loves the blackness, yet I'm a female who loves the light. It gets dark because of your irresolution." She said, frowning, before sneering. "If you want to make it better, show me how willing you are to destroy your other half to dominate." She swung again, exactly like Farkas.

Farkas blocked it. “I’m going to kill those people for getting me into this mess.” he said, stepping to the right and swinging at her side.

"If you can get out." She sneered, blocking it again, pushing up as she swung back down. "What happens when you're fighting an opponent you know there's no way to win against?"

“Nobody wins.” said Farkas coldly. He blocked the attack and unleashed his own back. “We know each other too much, this is just a waste of time. That is, if time exist in my mind.”

"But wait, if I know as much as you, then how come I know Irigi's ability when you didn't?" She smiled, placing it adjacent to her shoulder. "Simple - perception. We perceive things at different intervals of aptitude. I look at things that you experience more closely than you do yourself, and that's how I figured out, due to the design and the looseness of the teeth within your sword that Irigi's capability is like so." She smiled, a tastily evil sneer on her face.

"So, using your intelligence, can I figure out what the second transformation is?" She asked herself, cackling. "Of course I can! Aikurun!" She cried, as the broken and cleaved Irigi in her hands tore out into a fan of thin blades, stretched out like the petals of a flower, all of them whirring with hungry teeth at the end, like some sort tentacled monster. Hungry for flesh. "It's obvious with the grooves along the sword's inner teeth that it would expand into something like this."

She took out a sword, holding it forwards. "The eight blade storm." She smiled, raising her hand as she charged.

“Here is the problem with your actions.” said Farkas with a smile. “I know more about my sword then the others thought.” Holding Irigi outwards toward her, the White Temsplace laughed. “Aikurun! he yelled.

Less then a second later, Irigi caves inward and become a split ring of blades to become a circle-like shield of long swords, totaling to twelve swords in total. “Your sword isn’t the real Irigi. That’s why it only had eight blades and not twelve.” he said, an impish grin on his face.

“Mirigruun Zaragesk Guiruk nia Kaazara.” came form his mouth as his shield blocked her attacks.

"So, it's proof that you are the dominant one, for now." She smiled, sneering still. "But can you use it? Can you properly

understand how it works?" She asked, taking one of the blades out, the shimmering silver blades ringing and singing with

brightness glistening amongst a silver tack of a ring of knives. Holding it carefully, she twisted her wrist as it held firm

like a circle. "Zeyhrackuu huurun gedeskro!" She cried, the blades jettisoning out in every direction, held together

by wrist-thick wires.

Holding it out, she held a blade in her right hand, the rest spinning around in a circle attached to a rotor like a spinning

shield. Charging, she lashed out her sneer in an evil cackle, maniacal around her before she stopped halfway through. "Let's continue." She said, before frowning, as her face began to turn into a rotting, pale tint, her eyes slowly turning into shades of his own. Slowly, she was beginning to show near identical appearance to Farkas.

Watching Farkas' sleeping, nose bleeding body as he sipped, Vijun sat down beside Haruim as she drank tea alongside him. "He must have a very resistant personality." Haruim said, sighing. "How long has it been?" She asked Vijun, who looked at his watch. "3 days so far?"

"4." Vijun said blankly, before frowning. "But my watch is a little off, I think." He said, before looking back at the body. "Time sure does speed up in the mind, doesn't it?"

"Yes. I thought mine took only ten minutes, but it was just finished minutes ago. I wonder how Farkas is going to do." She said, taking another sip of tea, as Vijun cougehd slightly.

"When you're in the heat of the action, time speeds up, your perception slows down, and what you think is fast isn't fast at all. Time doesn't apply anymore in the psychological world. He better take dominance soon, or else his physical body will starve to death."

Farkas smiled as he eyed her. A few small movement form his hands, the White Temsplace commanded his swords to circle him. All twelve of them moved to form a circle around him, about three feet away from him. They were standing on their hilts, the blades in the air.

“You’re in my mind.” he said with a laugh as the twelve blades start spinning around him. Creating a moving shield of blades. Each blade was linked with thick wires.

“You’re my opposite, which means you fear the sun.” he growled. The blades spinning faster, blocking her attacks. “Where are we again?”

He closed his eyes and the darkness started to fade. Sun light started to show itself. “You wanted light, I’ll give it to you.” he said coldly as the blades spun around him.

The other end smiled, before the physical body turned into dust, a small cackle heard. "Heh, looks like you're one I can co-operate with. Alright, for now I'll cradle your power, but if I ever see you get soft, just remember; I'll be there, and I'll rip out that little tongue of yours. It looks like you have dominance for now, Farkas." The voice spoke with an evil cackle, before disappearing entirely from view, the blackness receding into a dense patch of silvery light.

"And now he should be waking up, given the distinct rem his eye is showing." Vijun said, sitting down as he looked at his schematics. "I just hope that he could hurry up so the collaboration could be harvested."

Farkas slowly sat up, he moved his hand around the blood from his nose. “What in…” he started before he heard heartbeat in the room he was in. He looked over and saw whom it was. “What happen? I just ran into some woman with my voice.” he asked.

"Ah, so you've finally met your collaborate self. That's not a woman. That's you, in the most opposite form that you could ever take. If you think that's difficult, you could only imagine the horrors Captain Ushuimaru went through in his session." Vijun said, looking at Farkas. "However, there's two reasons why Suriga wanted this to happen. Miriana?" He asked, turning to the man, who was still standing quietly.

"There are two traits of a collaborate; one, increased strength, speed and energy, and two, a near endless kinetic energy source. The downside to collaboration is that when you've acknowledge the pact, the more you use it, the more control your other side will retain over your mental state. So, it's unwise to use it constantly, not to mention the incredible strain you will be placed under while in collaboration." Miriana spoke. "Captain Darkholme, I will be your Deaikun trainer. Stand up."

“It was still freaky hearing my voice coming out of a woman’s body.” said Farkas, looking at Vijun. “I don’t think I’ll ever use it. My collaborate self isn’t as san as I am.” He smiled.

Looking over at Miriana, Farkas stood up and hope he didn’t loss too much blood. “How long as it been? Ten to twenty minutes?” he asked as he finally stood up.

"4 days, since I've been here, 3 and a half since you've been unconscious." Miriana spoke. "You must have had quite an erratic and rebellious other side, I presume." He said, looking up. "Well, if you want to stay on White Captain level, you'll need to rely on them, because fighting the Eroivizuun Deachtlackkun using only Aikurun is not easy, as I will state myself." He said, touching his perfect, smooth pale skin, and pulling it off, revealing it to be a mask. Underneath was not so elegant.

His face was scarred and tattered, and his flesh was ripped and torn in pieces. Bite marks were visible as small round bruises throbbing with purple muscle, his eyes revealing to be carrying in a complete coal black shade - there was no white in it whatsoever, so for the smallest of dots in the center. He seemed like a soulless man, and it was evident that his melancholic face was not intentional; carved on his sinew, elongated lips were sliced apart into a constant sorrowful frown, a large chunk of his nose missing and his eyelids dangling by small pockets of flesh over his eyes. He hissed slightly in pain as the cool air touched his bare red flesh before he placed his porcelain mask back on, only the sorrowful frown visible once more amongst painted eyebrows. "They will scar you for life."

“Four days?!?” he said in shock. “I need some blood then.” He looked at the man’s face, but it didn’t shock him. There had to be a reason for the mask. Even if Farkas was attacked , his wounds would heal themselves over time. That is why his grandfather or even his father don’t have scars. Farkas has already survive having his skin burned off.

“So, you’re my Deaikun trainer. When are we going to start this training?” he asked.

Vijun stood up, before walking away, out of earshot of Miriana. "Now." Miriana spoke, as the air became heavy, gusts of air and pockets filled with violent sprays of wind as metal objects flew about, engulfing the rotunda area in a difficult burst of pressurized strength. His hand on his sword, Miriana slowly unsheathed it to reveal a reversed blade. It's sharp end was at the back, while the edge was blunted with a smooth soft side. "I so despise killing." He said, looking at his black blade. "That is why I keep this with me." He held it out, it's tip aimed at Farkas, as metal objects flew around violently amongst the spray of whirlwinds.

"The goal of this training to see what you've accomplished using collaboration." Miriana replied softly. "Your goal is to force me to flip my blade." Miriana spoke cynically. "The time limit is one minute. Go." He said.

“I don’t think my body is up to this at this time.” started Farkas. “I have been passed off for four days without blood to get my body full of life. Can we do this another time?”

"Of course. It shouldn't be a problem, anyways." He said, closing his eyes, before placing his sword back in his sheath, tipping the end up, pushing it down into his waist belt. "The next mission is about to begin anyways, so it's best to keep your energy proper." He said, closing his eyes, before the thickness of the air died down, the metal objects stopped flying about, and the atmosphere returned as the dust settled down.

"You must be wondering on what that was, were you?" He asked, his deep, sorrowful eyes turning to Farkas. "Why metallic objects fly and the air becomes unbearable?"

“It was strange, but I seen more stranger things.” said Farkas. “Do you care that we go find some blood as you tell me?”

"I'm not entirely sure that I know where to find blood, given that I've never had a need for them." He said, looking around. "Though, I'm sure you wouldn't need that anymore if you rely on Salem." He said, looking at Farkas. "Surprised that I know your other side's name?"

“At else, my vampire side isn’t going to gain power of me like Salem.” said Farkas, walking into a hallway. “And if it has been four days, my father already had a palace for me to stay in.” He pulled out a cell-phone and dialed his father’s number.

"You know, you should understand that Salem isn't just another part of you. He's an entirely different entity in himself. While he may be hard to deal with, you'll find yourself a very trustworthy friend once you get used to him. He doesn't enjoy killing as much as he lets himself seem, and he possesses a very chivalrous soul. He'll never try and put his foot in when its not wanted, and he will always try to cheer you up. His advice is logical, helpful, and kind, and he doesn't have any bad intentions. If you get along with him, you'll have gained a powerful strength. You're the only White Captain who hasn't been reconciled with the collaborates." Miriana spoke.

“Right now, I’m happy without his help. I’m going to try and keep from the darkness. He loves the light” said Farkas before his father picked up. “Father, did you get me a place?”

After saying yes and okay a few times, Farkas said bye and hung up the phone. “I have a home, now. It is in the city. If you want, you can come and see what my father has done to fit his son’s taste.” he said. He started towards the outside.

Miriana closed his eyes. "Fine." He said, following him. Salem, this boy's body is the only one that can sufficiently work right now. You'll need to deal with it. He thought to himself, closing his eyes once more. "If I recall, you're Ashili's son, correct?"

“Yes. I’m one of her twins.” he said proudly. The two walked down the hallway, leading to the outside. “My sister and I are the second set of Darkholme twins. The first being my aunts, Elizabeth and Lilli.”

"Ah, twins. Because of their double development during birth, siblings born as twins usually retain similar pathological traits. The nervous system prevents the issue of separated chemicals, so the personalities are automatically similar. Hence, many twins have a biological affinity towards each other due to their natural birth as one original organism." Miriana spoke to himself loudly.

“You’re right about that. When I was burned, she feel my pain on the other side of the nation.” said Farkas. “My aunts can finish each other’s sentences without a pause.”

Miriana closed his eyes halfway, as if he was trying to express the fact that he was in deep concentration. "Kenghon." He whispered, a slight tone of realization in his voice before he returned his eyes to normal state, walking along.

Sitting down, Genkon closed his eyes before the soft pattering of footsteps reached his door, swinging it open as one of his men walked in, nodding as he bowed lowly to the man. "What is it?" Genkon asked, slightly leering in caution. "What do you want?"

"Captain, I heard that you were defeated by the intruder Miriana. I heard that you also were defeated by eighth Captain Vijun. Is this true?" He asked, as Genkon frowned.

"It is untrue. Defeat is the unintentional abolition of victory. However, there is no intent of defeat for me." Genkon said, rising up, as the bandages fell off his flesh, revealing no wounds whatsoever. "For anyone to take me so lightly, it is a mistake many whom have taken to their grave. Besides." He said, looking at his empty waist, swordless. "Once Lord Vijun has finished the modification of our swords, there will be nothing to stop us." He said, closing his eyes once more.

"Sir!" The man said, before standing and walking out.

“So…as he have some time to make it outside, do you have any brothers or sisters?” asked Farkas, trying to get what he could from his new trainer. His fifth or sixth one, he lost count of it.

"One. Salem Treyuko. He was seen as legally dead for three years, but thanks to you, he's found a new body." Miriana said.

“Oh my, so you like my brother now in some ways.” said Farkas with a smile. He looked over at Miriana. “Tell me about him, so that maybe I’ll change my ways with him.”

"I just did. He doesn't enjoy killing as much as he lets himself seem, and he possesses a very chivalrous soul. He'll never try and put his foot in when its not wanted, and he will always try to cheer you up. His advice is logical, helpful, and kind, and he doesn't have any bad intentions." Miriana said. "Though, he does have his pride. Don't mention this to him, ever, and you'll get along fine." Miriana closed his eyes, before opening them again. "Tell me, have you ever heard of Deaikun?" He asked.

“Okay. And I don’t know, my head isn’t really the best it can best right now.” said Farkas.

"Close your eyes." Miriana said, putting plastic clear gloves on his hands, rolling up his left sleeve as he pressed his wrist softly, a small metal plate falling out, a slow trickle of jet-black blood sliding out as Miriana dabbled his right finger on it gently, a small bubble of blood as he closed it again, holding it. "Close." He said with the same tone of melancholic voice.

“You’re freaking me out.” strated Farkas. “But I’ll close them” He closed his eyes, not knowing what was going to happen.

Rubbing his blood soaked thumb across Farkas' upper lip, the stench would fill his nose, stretch deep into his nervous system and bring Farkas back into blackness, back into the corner of his mind, back to Salem's kingdom.

“Rats.” said Farkas out loud. He looked at the darkness. “That was just wrong. Your brother is a tricky one.”

"I thought I smelled a fairly nostalgic stench. So, let me guess; Miriana brought you here, using his blood because as twins we're psychologically connected to each other?" He smiled, before his appearance changed from Farkas to Miriana, his face sorrowful and melancholic, his voice even like Miriana's. "You need to stop doing that." He said.

“Doing what? And show me your true form please.” said Farkas staring at Salem.

"I can't." Salem said, still looking like Miriana. "This is your physical brain. The mind can only project inwards on its own knowledge and awareness. Since you've never seen my true form, I could never show you. When I told you I was his twin, you subconsciously assumed I looked exactly like my brother, so this is why I'm looking like this." He closed his eyes, before opening them again. "The mind is a very fragile object, but it's very adaptable. However, there's the likeliness that he sent you here because you were unfamiliar with the sentient system of the Ascheran soul?"

“Ah…” started Farkas. He closed his eyes and placed some light in the darkness “I really don’t know why he sent me here. I don’t it was smart move as my body wasn’t in good shape early.”

"Your physical body is deteriorating at quite an interval, yeah." He said, before standing up, closing his eyes before opening them again. "However, I can help."

“It would be smart because you live within my mind.” he said. He closed his eyes again and more light began to take over the darkness.

"Hey." Salem said, as the small patch of darkness he stood upon battled furiously against the growing light. "You might be dominant, but know that my mere existence within your psyche causes a doubled deterioration rate. Meaning it takes twice as much effort to rejuvenate without my help." He said. "Close your eyes."

“My eyes are closed.” he said with a small impish smile. He was now standing in the light with his other half in the darkness.

"You'll feel a slight sharp tug." Salem's voice rang, as he closed his eyes, allowing his blackness to be engulfed in the brilliance of the white light, as a warmth of energy and renewed self flowed into Farkas' body, the tiring feelings evaporating as every muscle seemed eager and ready, mind sharp and focused and never before any more healthy.

“Okay.” said Farkas. He was tired of this stuff. He didn’t like being tricked.

"How are you feeling?" Miriana's voice rang, asking as the blackness faded. "Is it your first time in Collaboration?"

“That was nice, you know.” growled the White Temsplace. He flipped from the floor and eyed him. “You messed up by your actions. I can’t trust you or your brother as of now.”

"I never tried to gain your trust. I'm showing you what the Collaboration does." Miriana said, closing his eyes. "This alliance is not found on trust of one another, but distrust of a common enemy. I could care less about what you think, though you know that we're both, by objective, under oath to fight on the same side." Miriana spoke, closing his eyes once more.

“Still allies work better when there is trust in the mix.” said Farkas. He spun and heads down the hallway.

Miriana closed his eyes.

While down the hallway, Geriuusk had his eyebrows raised, looking at Farkas as he walked towards him. "Hmm? What are you doing here?" He asked, his waist also swordless. "So, you haven't gotten your Deaikun yet, either?"

“I’m just trying to get out of here without dieing.” said Farkas. He walked pass Geriuusk. “Need blood, run from the vampire he neeeeds blooood.”

Geriuusk smiled. "Quite the interesting fellow, isn't he, Seleck?" He asked, as his lieutenant was slung over his shoulder, a large dazzling smile on her face as she nodded with innocent excitement. "Oh well, hope he finds what he's looking for." He replied, before walking away.

“Yup, that’s me.” said Farkas, looking over his shoulder. He spun his head back down the hallway and towards the outside.

At the phone of every Captain, a ring rang out. There, Mengiko's voice ran through. "All Captains report to the rotunda. We found it."

“Is it blood?” came Farkas back. “I need blood before we do anything. I’m not like you, you can eat anything to get back your health.“

"Then hurry up, Captain Darkholme. Get what you need before coming to the rotunda." Mengiko's voice replied.

“Start without me, my Lieutenant will be my eyes and ears.” he said, finally steeping outside in the fresh air. “What I need is on the other side of the capital. She has a HUD radio that I gave her.”

He placed his on and radioed her. “Push the yellow button and I’ll have a live feed of the meeting.” Wit that, he pushed his yellow bottom and started towards a waiting two seat helicopter.

Mengiko sighed, as the other Captains have already gone in, as in place of Haruim was Kentatsu, a slightly ruffle haired, short boy with an innocent face and a naive attitude. He had a wide, thin smile, coupled with a tiny button nose that ran along a bridge towards the end of his eyebrows, his eyes large and like diamonds. Atop his mat of a head, he carried a cap that was standing in stark contrast to his military uniform.

"Is everyone here?" Mengiko asked.

Lieutenant Iaturo placed the radio on and pushed the yellow button. She moved to her seat.

Farkas was already in the air, heading for his home on the other side of the capital. He did have a live feed of whatever was happening in the meeting.

"We've found one." Mengiko said, dimming the lights as a thin screen flowed onto the pedestals of each spot, forming a small spherical shape of flickering images. Appearing on the screen, it showed a fairly well taken image of a scowling teenager, his eyes slanted to the left as he stared with a dark, eerie silence. He was adorning a half-brown, half-golden matte of hair upon his head, dyed at certain strips as his eyes carried square-rimmed glasses giving him a fairly intellectual look. His nose was fairly sharp, his mouth thin and long into a frown, his chin small yet his jawline visible.

He was a fairly handsome young man, and his collar was splashed in an outer navy blue jacket-like overshirt with a loosely folded pearl white dress shirt. A black tie dress shirt over his body, he seemed to be a fairly proper, thin and good looking man, yet his eerily evil stare was unnerving. Mengiko chimed up. "This is Dhelas Macro. He is an Eroivizuun." Mengiko replied.

Farkas watched as the photo of scowling teenager come up. He thought about it before he said “He is a teenager and he is an Eroivizuun. That’s strange.” He pushed another button on his radio to take over his Captain’s pedestal.

“Does the mean, we’ll have to see everybody as our enemy?” he said, his voice flowing out of the pedestal’s speaker. “What are we going to do about this Dhelas Macro?”

"We're going to observe him. Right now, he is our only lead regarding the organization. He's son of Sedethuldos, former religious advocate known for the expulsion of Christians in the north. Now that his father is gone, Mr. Macro is possibly intent on starting a new war to gain profits for his corporate empire. He controls a considerable bit of influence within multiple overseas shipping companies." Mengiko spoke, as Geriuusk asked.

"So, we simply spy on him?" Geriuusk asked. "Wouldn't it be easier for torture?" He asked, as Mengiko sighed.

"It can't be done so easily. This boy commands considerable political power already. The wrong move against him can cause a large amount of backlash on Lord Suriga's side, as well as while opening up the Eroivizuun, might make things worse. Since his power is overseas, it'll be our city-states in Sentiauhk, Ithrimungoes and the others that would suffer. It would hit us hard, so we have to take the Eroivizuun carefully." Mengiko replied.

“Spying on him is better for us.” came Farkas’ voice. “Before we act, we need to know everything about him and etc. Maybe he can lead us to another Eroivizuun.” He looked out over the capital as his helicopter flew in the skies.

"That is the only prudent choice of action we have right now." Mengiko said, his eyes darting from left to right. "While I doubt he could lead us to the Eroivizuun, given that they might even already know of our objectives, it's a possibility, and we can always take into consideration anything that comes our way."

“Correct. At else, we know of one of our enemy looks like.” said the White Temsplace. “Anything else?”

"Observation requires a primary source. We cannot rely on a secondary source. Hence." Mengiko said, looking at them. "We will be going undercover."

“Whom is the best for this type of undercover mission? I’m too well known via my family and actions as a Temsplace.” said Farkas.

"Well, you're not the only one." Mengiko replied. "So, you'll be going with Haruim and Geriuusk as teachers. You guys, for the next month or two, will be investigating as teachers at the school."

“Lovely, I never thought of me being a teacher.” said Farkas. Then it hit him. “I think I know of somebody we can trust. My sister is a spy and assassin, but the pubic doesn‘t know it. Really nobody knows that about her.”

"Is she a capable fighter?" Mengiko asked him.

“Yup, she has been a member of the Feared Path of the Hellish Blazes from the age of eight. As she is my twin, she is currently twenty.” said Farkas. Saying that make him think how young he is to hold a position of a White Captain.

"Can't say I'm familiar with that organization." Mengiko said, before looking up at the revolving glass of the newly fixed roof, watching as the emerald stars and a the sapphire lights twinkled with dazzling wonders amidst the real night sky. "Very well. She'll be your substitute for this mission. You will all be going undercover disguised as teachers pertaining to different subjects to allow him to be more easily watched."

“Its a Dominion martial arts organization. I’ll get in touch with her soon.” said Farkas as he looked out at the city. He was nearing his house. “Anything else?”

"There's one more thing. Right now the remnants of the Pseurothunji are moving up through the south, attempting to take the Krejei islands. Therefore, communications will be cut for the first week or so. If the Eroivizuun move fast enough that you are ambushed, you may contact a safe house of a friend of mine." Vijun spoke. "Just look up in the phone directory for Herdhu Kelaxus. He's a street vendor, I believe, but he is a very capable man when dealing with the Eroivizuun."

“Noted.” said Farkas as he looked at warehouse type building. The outside was made off a white stone. From his view, he could see that it was three story tall.

"Alright, get her here as fast as possible." Mengiko spoke to Farkas, as the communications line cut off. From the rotunda, Sekai closed his eyes as Mengiko looked at Vijun, who nodded. "The weapons are finished?" Mengiko asked, as Vijun once more, nodded in recognition.

"There's a slight problem in the Eroivizuun, however." Sekai replied. "They've already struck." He said, smashing his sword down at Mengiko, who frowned. "Yesterday, an open channel was audible. That channel came from nervous one, your channel." Sekai accused. "Are you the one who has been leaking information?" He pushed harder, a small crack audible in Mengiko's underneath armor.

Mengiko frowned once more, swinging his arm around as he stood there, looking at the other Captains as they stared back. "So, you assume me to be the one?" He said, taking out his sword. "I think you're the spy, Sekai. You're the one who told me that Vijun was the earlier channel, and now you're accusing me. There's something odd going on, isn't there? And how do you know its the Eroivizuun?" He asked, slashing his sword out of his sheath, as Sekai blocked it effortlessly.

"You're too young to be challenging me, First White Captain Karakorun Mengiko." Sekai replied, flipping his sheath over as it pummeled into Mengiko's stomach, sending the man reeling back slightly before he got up once more, holding his handle down. "You may have cut me by surprise," He said, unsheathing his sword, aligning it with his left eye. "But it won't happen again." A tear ran down the blade from his eye, a thin mist of elegance and a stench of fragrant vanilla in the air, Sekai slashing the air as Mengiko stood back.

"Do you remember?" Mengiko asked his sword, as it snapped together into place, a large, rigid sword as he swung it, the blade slightly bending back against the slashed air, before it sprayed all over, cutting both Sekai and Mengiko, both of them sporting small cuts on their faces as if they were attacked by clawed beasts, thin lines of blood flowing down. In an instant, Miriana was there, his hand gripping both blades at their tip.

"That's enough." Miriana replied, looking at both of them. "Order is paramount to this situation, and as White Captains, you are to uphold your position to the utmost of your abilities. If your abilities are so mediocre then you are not allowed to carry such a title." He lectured harshly, as Mengiko and Sekai frowned.

"Don't lecture us, Miriana." Mengiko said, drawing his sword back as he stood back a few steps. In an instant, his blade began to stretch and wretch and worm into a giant morning star of blades, swinging it around menacingly as he held it out, aiming it at Miriana as he charged.

Miriana closed his eyes, before opening them again. "I understand." He said, unsheathing his sword, a long blade straight and strong, plain and without a guard. Holding it parallel to his shoulder, he stood still as Mengiko charged, before Miriana slashed with incredible speed, returning it to his sheath in an instant. It was such speed that the sheath was slightly smoking, and Mengiko's massive mace was split in half as his torso was cut clean across the torso.

"Don't be so confident in your abilities." Miriana said, sheathing his sword once more.

Farkas send a message to his sister about her mission.

The helicopter touched down on the roof’s helipad. Damn, Edward works fast for his own. Farkas’ home was going to be the best for him and he would see that after entering it. Going down the stairs, which lead to the third floor, Farkas saw camera watching the stairway. He stepped through the door into another hallway. From what he was, his home was top dollar.

“This way, Captain Darkholme.” came a female’s voice and one he knew.

He smiled at Kyra and followed her to his master bedroom, which was done. He locked the door and kissed her. She pulled his clothes off as he did her. These was the first time in a week that they have seen each other not in a mission. The White Temsplace had some fun with his lover, now, and get blood later.

In four hours, Akila Darkholme (http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y101/CountJWolf/AkilaDarkholme.jpg), wearing a white cloak, showed up in the rotunda. “Hello, I hear I’m a teacher.” she said

Miriana nodded at her in recognition of her presence, a very gentlemanly nod, with a distinct elegance of nobility in his stance. "That's your position. Currently, High Captain Mengiko is under some social re-training, so please forgive his lack of appearance." Miriana said calmly, his eyes slightly drifting to the disturbingly large and long trail of blood leading to the outer door, as Genkosk's sigh was heard fairly loudly.

"Akila, interesting name." Genkon said, frowning slightly as Ushuimaru's smile was shining brightly from the seventh pedestal. "So, you'll be substituting for Sixth Captain Darkholme on this mission, it seems. The details are fairly sketchy, however."

"I believe the woman's fighting abilities are not needed so much on a mission where we will be posing as teachers." Geriuusk said, smiling, as Genkon looked back at him with a scowl.

"You have a point, Third Captain Geriuusk, but I believe its prudent to bring our entire attire with us." Genkon offered, as Vijun nodded.

"The Deaikuns are finished." Vijun replied. "Tell me, Akila Darkholme, what do you know about the unique swords of the White Captains, and my Elegance research?"

She looked over at Genkon “My name isn’t a Jenrakian as with my brother’s name, too. It isn’t even a European name. It’s Arabic.” she said. “Don’t know why my parents called me it thought.”

“Brother gave me a quick run down on them in his message to me. They change forms and other things.” she said, undoing her white cloak to show off her black cat suit. It hung to her curves like it was painted on.

“My brother briefed me on what I’ll be doing on his behalf. I’m ready any time.” she adds.

Vijun frowned. A bit revealing, isn't it? He thought to himself, as the same line of thought ran through every Captains' mind.

Apparently, though she is foreign. They are like this. Genkon thought within the channels, as Geriuusk's wide smile was ambivalent throughout the conversation.

"I'm foreign too." Geriuusk said out loud, not wanting to use the nervous channel to speak, as Genkon frowned and Vijun sighed.

"Well, the Elegance isn't entirely related to swords that change shape or color. It's related to pushing human and the limits of conventional physics. Though bumblebees still fly." Vijun said quietly to himself in the last sentence, an air of triviality vigilant through his tone.

"Well, once Seventh Captain Ushuimaru gets the information ready, we'll be able to continue with our plan." Genkon said, looking at Gengur as he typed rapidly into his laptop, his eyes scanning quickly around the neon azure screen as the sound of soft engine and fans were audible throughout the graveyard silent rotunda. "On another note, what do you prefer to be called by?" Genkon asked Akila.

“Kitty-cat.” she said with an impish grin. “Just call me Akila. I haven’t gone by anything else in my whole life.”

"Akila, alright. My name is Captain Hezhoku Genkon." He said, nodding.

"Captain Ishidun Geriuusk." Geriuusk nodded.

"Captain Maiko Vijun."

"Captain Mekumunos Haruim."

"Captain Sekai Hamruun."

"Is my name really necessary?" Gengur asked, with a pleasant smile, breaking the pattern as he finally hooked up a printer to the back end of his notebook, printing out the pages.

"Well, this is going to be a long day." Vijun said, sighing. "Akila, you will be with Captain Ishidun Geriuusk and Captain Mekumunos Haruim in the information gathering of Dhelas Macro." Vijun replied.

She looked at each White Captain as they told her their names. She smiled at Sekai and mouthed “Hello, Uncle.”

Looking over at Vijun. “I understand. Orders to spy and not kill.” she said.

"Dhelas is a dangerous political entity. Physically, its been measured that his current physical output is nothing higher than the average civilian, yet its likely that his intelligence is incredible for his age. He's a genius in tactical maneuvering and apt at deducing the movements of his foes. Therefore." Vijun said, rising up for the first time, his height powerful and his presence towering above others, his face drooping down as he was some tall, lanky giant within a spray of tattered robes and wraps. Upon his head, his turban was wrapped like a silk crown upon his skull, his eyes gleaming out with emerald shades of strength and pragmatic spirit.

"Our foe here is an Eroivizuun. They are influential. We had only the Kahanistans to thank for their existence. A group primarily from Kahanistan, they eventually moved into three sub-classes within the Cornered East, bridging themselves in a war against us." Vijun said, closing his eyes. "Yet, they eventually collapsed internally due to inward strife regarding their merit system, and soon enough they had split into tinier subclasses called Pariah subclasses."

Gengur had finally printed out his pages, pushing it into the feed at his pedestal as the projector showed the information. "They represent a distinct and unique threat to our social infrastructure. The Pariah are split into 341 subclasses. At the foot of each subclass, there exists a minor-class and a sub-sentient class. At the foot of each fourth sub-sentient class, there exists a military caste. For every second subclass, there exists a military caste. Within each military class contains three superclasses with four subclasses each, totalling in twelve squads."

Vijun spoke once more. "We are taking a gamble here. This is an operation where failure is not than option. We are talking an organization that controls people worldwide in the billions. We have difficulties control the Jenrakian sector, let alone the damage that could be done to the entire continent alone if they decided to launch their entire capabilities. We need to get information on them. Luckily." Vijun said, looking at Genkon, who nodded.

"We have one of their highest members in our scope." He said, looking at the vivid picture of Dhelas Macro visible on the screen. "Akila, know that your responsibly does not extend to you alone. It extends to everyone. Should you fail, we may all die."

“I understand that and that is why Farkas said I would take his place. His faith in me, should tell you all that I know what will happen, if I fail.” she said in a serious tone.

"Good." Vijun said, nodding, as Ushuimaru nodded as well.

"Six eyes open six doors upon three minds with four fingers." Gengur spoke, seemingly as if it were something common as the Captains nodded. "Ishidun, Haruim, Akila, I will say this once, and I will not repeat it. Right now, all electrical devices are off, and the building is cleared. I will not have another chance again." He said, looking around.

"These instructions must be followed to the exact specifications, with no deviation. If you cannot follow through on an instruction, you must not go to the next one, under any circumstances." He said, preparing himself. "When you leave this building, you will leave in three, in a horizontal line. Akila, you will wear the same clothes as Ishidun and Haruim; a regular brown sweater with black jeans. You will stand in the center, while Ishidun stands on the left. Haruim will stand on the right."

Vijun spoke this time. "When you leave, stand on the last step of the castle before touching the ground, wait exactly four minutes. There, you will have to go to 422 Exhele Street, and go to Apartment number 3-1-3. Do not open the door; merely, there will be a key in the handle that will not unlock the lock. Take the key out and behind you will be electric panel for the floor. Use the key to open the electric panel, and turn on the switch at the bottom left corner, labeled 'third floor washroom'."

Gengur spoke this time. "The three of you will be going to the second floor, before going to a flight of stairs that lead to the third floor. When at the first step, you will see a small film cartridge in the whole at the right of the step. Take the cartridge, and go to 12 Eagle Dawn Road. There, you will find the house you will be living in. Inside, you will find your identification papers. Use the supplied cartridge to press into a small hole found in the second step down in the basement. In that hole, you will find extra information regarding the target."

Vijun finalized the instructions. "When you have the papers, notify me using the direct nerve channel."

Akila listened and took everything in. Making metal notes of everything that was said to her. “I understand the instructions” she said.

"Let's begin." Gengur said, as the lights turned back on.

Ishidun stood up, sighing as Haruim nodded. "I'll go get changed." Geriuusk said, as Haruim nodded as well. "You should too, Akila."

“Yeah, I’ll go change, too.” she said, heading off to change in the brown sweater and black jeans. She was more used to clothes that help her move faster like her skin tight cat suit, which didn’t allow the air to slow her down.

"This is a bit thin, don't you think?" Geriuusk asked Haruim in the locker room, as she shrugged her shoulders, taking off her uniform. "I'm not so used to such light clothing." He said, sighing, flailing around childishly in his uniform, trying to get it off. It was odd for Geriuusk, whom was so used now to the feeling of long, draping clothes to provide his elegance that he had become unaccustomed to what normal clothes felt like.

"You won't be fighting." Haruim said, changing. While she was in the same locker room as Geriuusk, she seemed to have no problem undressing herself in there, and Geriuusk seemed to either ignore it, or simply not be aware of it. Either way, it was as if they had some sort of mutual understanding that prevented either of them from getting embarrassed in such a situation. "Say, Geriuusk." She continued, putting the shirt on, trying to unravel the poorly folded jeans. "What happened to Nikhahrahak?" She asked, as Geriuusk shrugged nonchalantly.

"She's dead. Cancer." Geriuusk said, as Haruim sighed, closing her eyes in slight sorrow.

"I'm sorry for your loss." She said, as she heard a strong thud, turning around to see a clean hole in the locker beside Geriuusk, his fist deep in the darkness as his face adorned a thin, wry smile that was evidently forced.

"That's alright. Things happen." He said, moving his fist out as he punched again, the locker smashing into small sharp pieces as he took his bloodied knuckles out, wiping the blood off gently. "It's not like it was anyone's fault, right?"

"I see." Haruim said, her eyes in a half-droop, looking with a calculating stare at him. "No wonder Desse wants to be freed from you."

Akila didn’t pay attention to what they were talking about and didn’t really care undressing in front of them. She had show her body already and didn’t embarrass here early. She just quietly undressed, showing that she wasn’t wearing a bra and only a black thong.

She looked at the brown sweater and black jeans for a few seconds before pointing them on. Even to her, they didn’t feel right.

Looking over at Geriuusk and Haruim. “Ready?” she asked.

Haruim looked adorable, the sleeves barely fitting as they laced over slightly to her fingers, her long hair sweeping down to her waist easily as her jeans were slightly bagged. She carried it fairly nonchalantly, yet her expression was soft and quiet, almost demure. It was a near polar opposite of Geriuusk who looked odd in such clothing, showing his skinny, lanky figure, given that he was rarely seen without thirty pounds of clothing on him at least, he figured it odd to be wearing such things.

"Leave it to Gengur to pick out the ugliest clothes. I would have been fine of Genkon was in charge." She said, looking at her clothes with disgust, as Geriuusk nodded.

"We need to get the Fourth Captain to pick them out, not the seventh." He said, frowning for the first time.

“I’m not a brown fan, but…” started Akila, looking at Haruim with her ice blue eyes. “You look good in them.” She smiled at her, maybe that would hint something of her nature. Akila, along with her aunts, is bisexual.

She looked over at Geriuusk. “You’re somewhat okay, but I didn’t know you were that skinny.” she said.

Geriuusk shrugged. "Nobody does, that's what I wanted to keep, but things aren't that easy, sometimes." He said, sighing, as Haruim frowned. "What's wrong, Haruim?"

"Nothing." Haruim said, turning away, as she walked. Geriuusk had a pair of furrowed brows, slightly peeved at her ignoring him.

[OOC: Sorry for taking so long, but the Hataria thing took up a lot of my time. Sorry for the crappy post.]

Akila moved close to Geriuusk and whispered in his ear. “I think she didn’t like it that I somewhat hit on her.” She smiled a naughty grin and followed after Haruim.

Geriuusk only raised his eyebrows in wonder. Sighing, he raised his arms before shaking himself slightly to awaken his usually passive body. "Well, about time I get going as well." He said to himself, following them. As he walked along them, he nodded to himself. "So, Akila, is it? I hear you're related to Lord Sekai Hamruun, right? If so, then you're Krejei nobility." He smiled, chuckling slightly. "Everyone's nobility or something wealthy, it seems. Well, I guess that's why they're such strong people - what with all the free time they probably have."

Sitting there, Vijun remembered what had happened long ago.

Ishidun sighed, quiet in the darkness as the rank stench of blood and flesh ensnared his nostrils. He frowned, his teeth clenching together in distaste before he heard a clang before another, steps audible in the room before a flashing light blared on. Hanging above him, it was attached to a thin steel rope, shadows beneath him dancing merrily like black flames. Geriuusk sat there, his arms tied around his back as he frowned, looking at the man who stood there. He had a stern, hard face, yet it was hidden carefully beneath a sheath-like turban over his wrinkled skin.

"You must be Einer Hakraan, correct?" The wrapped man asked, standing there, his sword sheathed as it laid at his waist. "I'm Maiko Vijun, and I am interested in acquiring your co-operation."

"Co-operation?" Geriuusk asked, his hair frazzled and unkept, split at ends as it was a parched white shade; the torture he had previously been through had splattered his once black hair white. "Fuck you." He said coarsely, spitting at Vijun, yet it was odd - the spit had never reached him, merely deflecting off as if from invisible shield was defending him.

"I understand that I could threaten to you that you have no choice, but I want quality work, not something half-assed. I want their co-operation so they don't give me nothing less than their best." Vijun replied. "I heard that, in your condition, tied up and without access of your hands or a weapon, you had incapacitated fourteen high level mercenaries before being taken down through overwhelming numbers. At first, I was skeptical, but after this," He said, pulling out a small lcd screen, as it flashed a greenish video showing Geriuusk tied up.

His arms were wrapped behind his back as steel wires were roped uncomfortable around his stomach and his chest, his legs tied together. Yet, even in such a tight and uncomfortable and restrictive position, he jumped and smashed without difficulty against gunfire, even using a bullet shot to cut apart some of his wire. Turning it off, Vijun looked at him. "I know your name isn't Einer Hakraan. It's obvious that you're using an alias to prevent any sort of actual information trace. I do know, however, that you are not Jenrakian or from anywhere near Jenrak." Vijun said, taking out his sword.

"Are you going to threaten me by waving that thing around?" Geriuusk asked, as Vijun walked behind him.

"No. If you can cut me with my own sword, I'll let you free. If you can't, you will do as I say until the day you die." Vijun replied, cutting the wires apart as he placed the sword beside Geriuusk, who immediately went into full gear. He slashed down, smashing apart the concrete tiles before he slashed up, a giant moon-shaped scar in the ceiling. Vijun punched him squarely in the chest, sending him flying back into the end of the room, cracks in the wall clearly visible where his body made impact. "Now, you will go with my deal. Your organs are internally crushed. If you don't get surgery within the next half hour, you will die. It takes eighteen minutes to prepare, eleven to transport you to the destination. Therefore, you have one minute to decide."

"Maiko Vijun?" Geriuusk asked. "Ishidun Geriuusk. I'll be happy to join." He said, smiling as blood trickled from his mouth.

In the present time, Vijun sipped his tea, smiling as he watched the long, lanky shadow of Ishidun Geriuusk become engulfed in the heated sunlight. "Ishidun Geriuusk, former member of the Jagite Kriegsmarine. The only one within the White Captaincy society without any trace of noblity or royalty. You are proving to be a strong representation of your people, Geriuusk."

[OOC: Sorry for taking so long, but my ban lasted a little longer then it should have. It was three day ban that lasted almost five days.]

“I’m more then just a Krejei noble through the blood of my Uncle Sekai, in which I never knew he existed or was my family.” she said with a smile. “Thought the blood of my father, I’m part of the House of Wolf and can hold the throne of the United Dominion. I’m the twenty first in line to the throne. My brother is the twentieth in line to the throne.”

She smiled again looked at Geriuusk. “I don’t think you want to hear that, but I told you anyways. And I know I had a lot of free time on my hands after I was done my martial training and schooling each day.” she said. “But it was used well. I know our castle like it was the back of my hand. And there are a number of servants that love me. I’m happy I got my father to hire those young women.”

With an impish smile, she turned away from Geriuusk.

Geriuusk sighed. "I wish I had servants." He said, complaining, as Haruim sighed as well.

"With how much you're getting paid, you could." She said blankly, as Geriuusk gave off an innocent look before nodding.

"I guess you're right. Hah, who would have thought." He said, smiling. "Well, you have proud lineage in you. Alot of proud lineage. A member of Jenrakian nobility, a member of Dominionite nobility, a member of Krejei nobility, wow." He said, smiling, as Haruim gave off another annoyed look at Geriuusk.

"There's no need to act like an idiot, Geriuusk." Haruim said blankly, as Geriuusk laughed.

"I'm just trying to have a conversation, my Queen." Geriuusk said, with a strong tense on the queen, as he said it. "After all, I can't brag about anything. Jagite Kriegsmarine, Ishidun Geriuusk of the 6th company. My jobs were cleaning the lavatories and carrying the rounds." He said, somewhat sadly and with shame behind his happy, jovial voice.

“Ah…yes, my brother told me that there was a Jagite in the ranks of the White Captains.” she said. “Don’t take this wrong in anyways, but Jagite leadership have been only fools. York signed a deal with the Kraven Corporation that not only killed him, but had his land raped. The only good about that is that a large of Jagites, those silver haired people, came to the United Dominion after the war and when the current Jagite ruler broke off the alliance between my grandfather’s nation and Neo Jagada.”

She moved between the White Captain that she was told to do. “From the numbers my father got, there are currently three hundred thousand Jagites in the United Dominion Foreign Legion. That makes them the large number of foreigners in the UDFL” she said.

“Sorry, if I’m boring you two.” she adds at the end with a small sigh.

"My, my, of course not!" Geriuusk smiled, laughing slightly. "Of course, I'm not fond of York myself. I believe a man's loyalty should be to his country, not his leader, because his leader is merely a representation of his country. I'm a Jagite who loves Jagada with all my heart, but I'm never one who actually followed Christianity nor the Jagite leaders as closely as my brothers had. Perhaps that's what made me join the White Captains. Though, I'm not the only one that's a Jagite on the list." He said, as Haruim nodded.

"Surely you've seen the seventh Captain, Gengur Ushuimaru, right? His real name is a mystery to everyone. Nobody knows what his real name is." Geriuusk sighed, as Haruim stayed silent, without a single reply.

"Ushimaru Itai?" The man asked, looking at the papers, as the run down apartment doors were flung open, revealing an empty hallway to a long woman shielding a crying, beaten child. He had a soft, silent face drawn with the sadness of fresh blood upon his cheeks, bruises dotting his eyes and forehead grimly as his body was frail and weak, his mouth evidently showing signs of red vomit. Still, this woman hugged him and tried to cover him with her body, trying to shield him.

"Please." She said, crying out, sobbing wildly amongst the makeshift group. "Don't hurt the boy. He's already suffered enough, hasn't he? He's sick!" She argued, before a fresh katana stabbed through her throat, catching and getting stuck within the hard marrows of her spine, ripping the gashing warm blood all over the scarcely living child. "Ple..." She tried to finish, before the blade swung up and slashed her head in half.

"Itai, and odd name." The group leader said, taking out his pistol, before a figure smashed through the walls, ripping his skull into the toilet bowl and smashing him into the ground. The others were surprised, as the man swiftly turned around, his face hidden beneath a black veil, his eyes a silvery shade drenched in malice. He drew his sword, a thick, engulfing flame rising out of its sheath like a bloodthirsty phoenix, cackling and dancing with an unnatural bloodlust. He swung, burning and slashing against the nearest foe as a bullet shot at him ricocheted off his steel banded wrist, only a small dent visible as he slashed again. One by one, and even then, not just one, the others began to fall by the masses, groaning and bursting out in pain as the mysterious had slashed them apart.

In the end, none were left alive, as the stench of death was slowly dissipating amongst the soft, airy waves of burning hellfire that licked throughout the room. Turning around, he sheathed his sword as he picked up the child, and in a feat of swift decision, jumped out through the window.

The blood was flowing freely, the thin trail of magenta fluid warm and loose as it trailed down in batches. Amongst them, sat a blonde haired woman with closed eyes, her wrist sliced open and a small kitchen knife by her side. It was Serrin, dead as dust, her blood flowing out freely as a tall shadow stood over her. “Arcarum, you asshole.” Suriga said, standing over her as he alerted his medical team, a small battalion of medics and elite doctors that regularly treated him. Now, they were going to treat her.

“Bring her down to my basement, put her in the preservation tube.” Suriga commanded, as they nodded. Over time, her body began to reform, modified and placed together under the damage of her immense blood loss. Her organs were shriveled, her skin static and her mind hurt beyond repair. Yet over time, she recovered, not having yet died, but still alive, silently crying in her dreams as her brain showed pathological wounds that would never heal. As time passed within the laboratory, she eventually regained her ability to walk, to talk, to do all the things she had wanted to do before, yet she had no memory of her past, and her thought process was still in its infancy. Even so, Suriga stayed by Serrin’s side, teaching her with all his heart, to help her regain her identity. Yet it never returned.

Jenrak’s condition worsened as Gelectriax made his ravage across the Kataask bloodline under orders of the Eroivizuun, Therax solidifying power. The Rithos had marched up through the north, and here, Suriga felt his country needed his strength. Gathering up his march of forces, he prepared from a gamble – to paint himself as villain to gain the attention of everyone around him, to put everything he had worked so hard for on the line. And she, Serrin, stayed by his side, her hand clinging to his, much like a daughter who clung so affectionately to her father; yet her newly developed feelings were so much more than that. She had loved him, with more grace and loyalty than the Kataask King had ever hoped. But he had to protect such an innocent soul from the dangerous clutches of his sadistic brother.

Once, Arcarum and Serrin were lovers, man and wife, but Arcarum had thrown her away, such a jewel of the world and such a loyal and trusting companion to his own desires of power and lust for knowledge. And now, after all of Suriga’s labor, he would not allow her to be harmed again. Deep within the laboratory, before the plan commenced, Suriga sat quietly as she sat beside him, both of them looking at the now empty chamber that had saved her life. “923.” Suriga said, looking at the tattoo he had placed on her hand, rubbing it softly as if it were some shameful wound, to which she merely sighed. “You don’t have any memories of your past life, do you?”

She shook her head. “No. It makes me sad, sometimes, but I think it is for the best, if it has hurt me so much before.” She said, a soft sorrowful shade in her eyes, slight, watery tears welling up as Suriga began to show signs of sorrow as well. In an instant, he wrapped his arms around her, surprising her as she slowly responding by doing the same. Here, in the darkened room amongst the shimmering diamond-like light of the soft teal shade, they held each other in full embrace; the soon-to-be King and the has-been Queen, both of them with the darkest of pasts, connected together by the slightest of events. Suriga shook slightly, as if he were crying, and Serrin gently smiled, her fingers running through his veil, feeling the broken, charred remains of his hair, blowing softly as her fingers grasped his shoulder in her clasp.

“My dear 923. I want you to live your life your own way, freely. I will protect you, to prevent any harm that comes to you.” He said, now evident that he was crying, sighing softly in short bursts. “I can never tell you your past life, because I don’t want you to cry. I don’t ever, ever want to hurt you, or let anyone hurt you again. I don’t want you to be in a world like this; a world of shame and murder. Please, my order, as your teacher, your master, and your friend, 923, is to leave this place. I order you, under your oath, to leave this country, live a happy life. Find a man who can make you happy, have children, and leave all of this suffering behind. Do you understand?” He asked, as Serrin held him tightly.

“Yes.” She said, closing her eyes, softly and silent as pearl-shaped tears ran down her fine cheeks. “But I have to break that oath.”

“Why?” Suriga asked in slight anger, yet still holding her, his head bowed in sadness. “You must get rid of all ties with me, it’ll only harm you, and I love you, like you were my own daughter, and thus I cannot let that be to pass.”

“Liar. You are a liar, Lord Suriga. You delusion yourself that we are like a father and daughter, but you know deep down inside my feelings, and yours. Can you not accept that? I want to be beside you, forever. I don’t care about anybody else, about anything else.”

“I only wish for your happiness, 923. I cannot – “

“Then if you do, let me stay. For nothing will make me happier than to be forever at your side, whether I am simply seen as Subject 923, or a friend.” She said, closing her eyes.

Suriga still held onto her, not wanting to meet her sad gaze with his, his teeth clenched in sorrow, as he whispered to himself. “Serrin, I will protect you.” He said to her, yet she did not hear. All that was around them was silence, and in that silence, the story of the soon-to-be king and the has-been queen was not told or heard, but felt and emanated.

In the present, Vijun smiled gracefully, looking at his surveillance as he saw Geriuusk, Akila and Haruim. Smiling, he nodded with appreciation, still seeing visibly on Haruim’s hand her 923 tattoo.

“Yes, I heard of him from my brother.” she said with a smile. “The Speed Demon is what my brother called him. The one without a Vice Captain.” With an impish smile on her lips, the blonde haired girl looked over at Geriuusk. “My brother has told me about the White Captains. Like how Haruim will become the Queen of Jenrak.”

OOC: If you're referring to Haruim, her hair is black.

"I don't know if Gengur would enjoy being called a demon." Geriuusk said, chuckling slightly, as the warmth of the sunlight basked upon his arms and face, the car pulling up. "And I'm not entirely sure about Haruim becoming Queen. Is the position already set into stone?" He asked, as Haruim nodded. "Ah, so its already done with. However, something doesn't seem right within the Lords." Geriuusk spoke again.

"Incorrect application." Vijun said, sitting down as Gengur stood, blood running down his face as his legs were shown bare; broken, battered, in pain as the muscles were visible like every wire. "Do not get cocky, little boy. I have yet to find what Suriga finds in you." Vijun spoke, raising his sword, the shining brightness of the sunlit mountains reflecting beautifully off the humid morning. "The rebellion has existed for decades upon skill and ability, and I find that you are lacking in both assets."

"Onegai, Vijun-dono..." Gengur pleaded, groaning in pain as he tried to lift the long sword, unable with his strength. "Itai, itai. Onegai."

"I told you already. Speak Jenrakian." Vijun replied harshly, smashing his blade down at Gengur, as he tried to keep his sword up, being slowly pushed down as his thorbbing legs finally began to give. "I will - " He said, before Gengur dissappeared, ending up behind him. Vijun was surprised, being able to barely block the swift stab that followed, smiling with interest. "So, boy, this is what Suriga sees in you?" He said, smiling.

Gengur jumped back, charging once more as he stopped, dodging to the left at the last second as Vijun struck down, slashing at Vijun from the left, yet the man blocked him off cleanly again. "Incredible. I had never thought Mother Nature would breed such a dangerous human like you. Makes me jealous of the Jagites, having such a prodigy of a swordsman amongst them. Ignorant fools." He said, smiling as Gengur swung across, forcing another slashing against Vijun, yet it was blocked once more.

"But, your speed, no matter how intense, cannot defeat me." He said, as Gengur tried again, before crashing into the wall behind him, blood flying from his mouth as he coughed it up violently. Vijun smiled. "I told you; you can't beat me. No one has, and I plan on keeping it that way." He smiled, walking off.

SEkai stood before Genkon, looking at him with wonder as the two long haired men nodded towards each other. "I hear you're a competent opponent. Fourth Lord, I presume?" He asked, as Genkon nodded. "Ah, you're that supermodel, aren't you? Try not to make things look like a movie."

"I will try not to, Mr. Hamruun." Genkon said, holding his sword in his hand, as they began. Hamruun slashed to the left, curling his back to the side as he swung again, Genkon swinging up as he blocked with his sheath, moving his fingers to the other side. There, he swung back, his blade falling down as Hamruun kicked the end of the scabbard, blocking it gracefully.

Both them, slashed at the left, blocking with their right, Hamruun swinging his fist up through the air towards Genkon as Genkon twisted his wrist up aiming at Hamruun's neck as Hamruun dodged, yet barely getting out of the way of the attack as Hamruun swung down, Genkon barely blocking it, merely a fraction of a millimeter from his neck. "Sekai Hamruun, the legendary Iaido master. I hear you learned it from people all over the world, that one attack, and that once it connects, it connects without flaw."

Hamruun frowned. "Do you want me to show you?" He asked, sheathing his sword, as Genkon smiled. "Very well." He said, his left leg out, his right leg tucked back neatly, his right hand hovering only slightly above his handle, standing silently as Genkon smiled with anticipation. He stood there, his stance rigid and firm, his arm etched out in a parallel fashion.

Hamruun charged, silent and swift, his hand clasping upon the handle as he finally got within slashing range. Within a fraction of a second, he grabbed his handle nad slashed, yet he did not redraw his sword. Instead, using his left hand, he tensed his body and gripped his sword with both hands. Genkon had dodged the first strike, and was ready to counterattack, before the second immediate, and much faster strike cleaved his sword in two. At Genkon's throat, Hamruun's blade was pointed. "It's over." Hamruun said confidently, coldly, as Genkon still smiled.

Although broken, Genkon had his blade at Hamruun's wrist, both of them ending their first bout in a tie. "The first time you fought someone who matched your Iaido, isn't it?" Genkon asked.

[OOC: I was taking about my blonde haired girl. *Smiles*]

“What’s not right with the Lords?” she asked, watching the car pulling up. “The only way to get an blood heir is to be married to a women. They should be happy in a way.”

"Marriage doesn't necessarily constitute itself as a prerequisite. Saerus Annirak comes into mind as the prime example of this situation. However, I'm wondering on whether the Jack of Spades is still in existence. Perhaps I should try and seek him out." Geriuusk said, smiling.

“If you find out why he is back, tell me the reason as I have questioned why my uncle is back with the living.” she said. “It’s not like I don’t him, but it is weird for him to come back after being died for so long.”

"Tezekilth." Haruim replied softly, surprising Geriuusk as he got into the car, finally realizing, hitting his hand with his fist in some sort of epiphany. "Ah, yes, the reanimator. I thought he would have done so if Mr. Suriga commanded that."

“Ah…so the King called back him then.” she said, getting into the car. “I want to know, if he is himself or under control.”

"Well, you would have to ask Saerus or Mr. Suriga that yourself, wouldn't you?" Geriuusk replied to Akila. "Well, it doesn't look like Saerus is in any ways acting under Suriga's order, considering what he's going through with Gelectriax right now." Geriuusk said. "You heard about it, didn't you?"

“Yup, Aunt Selene told me.” she said with a smile. “I don’t feel sorry for him as he killed one of my best friends.” A small tear formed out from her right eye and slide down her face. Even thought the death happened when she was eight years old, she still missed her friend.

"Hmm? Who was that?" Geriuusk asked with curiosity.

Akila looked over at him with a quizzed look then reminds herself that he was a Jagite. “Princess Alledrias.” she let out, forcing her sadness back. “She would have been the Queen of Jenrak, if she wasn’t killed.”

"Alledrias? Ah, she must have been before my time." Geriuusk said solemnly, closing his eyes in respect. "I was probably within the Kriegsmarine division that time, or perhaps in my cartel ownership. I wasn't involved in Jenrakian politics until the Pseuronaders began to shift their position up through the south, so I'm sorry for your loss."

“Thank you. I didn’t know the truth until I was ten years old.” said Akila. “She would have been my age by now, if that sicko didn’t do what he did. If what father said, she would be the niece of our current king.”

"Ah, Mr. Suriga?" Geriuusk said, in the cramped car. "You know, he's a respectable, law-abiding man. I'll let you in on a little secret." He smiled, pointing his finger up. "Arcarum Dreskisk is an evil man."

“No shit…” she said. “Sorry about the language. But back to what I was going to say. There is evil within us all. But Alledrias wasn‘t evil until el sicko did what he did.”

“He and his men broke the poor rich girl. From what my father told me, she started a sword fight with my grandfather.” she said, a small smile at the end.

"Ah, those crazy Jenrakians. Never really have patience to do things." Geriuusk said with a slight chuckle, as Haruim gave him a nasty look, forcing him to sweat slightly in nervousness. "I guess I'm glad not a Jenrakian. Mind you, being born in such a hot place wouldn't be my idea for a nice cup of tea."

“Good thing a cup of tea was born here as it doesn’t last that long in this heat.” she said and laughed. “I have only know the sunny deserts of my home then any other place in the world. I’ve gone to the United Dominion to do some jobs for my father and a few for my grandfather.”

"You know, when I first joined up, and was forced to come here, the heat averaged at sixty celsius. It's quite painful for a man to handle that without going insane." Geriuusk said, chuckling. "But I guess I am insane." He confided, a thin, evil smile crackling within his dark grin. Slowly, the car stopped as it finally reached the apartment.

It was a somewhat moderate sized apartment, nothing a middle class man couldn't afford, with a tall structure that wound up like a pedestal twisting into the azure sky. The doors were like fingers, stretched and thin, yet accessible, the windows opened and drifting with drying laundry as the sound of chuckling children heard in the small front yard.

“Everybody is insane, if you think about it.” she said with a smile, waiting her teammates to exit the vehicle as she was in the middle.

"If you think about it." Geriuusk said. "But people don't tend to think about it. I think we should leave philosophy to philosophers. So, what was it, the second floor, correct?"

“Correct.” said Akila, getting out of the car. She shook her hair to get it out of her eyes.

"Across from the bathroom, I believe it's apartment number 3-1-3, with the key, I believe." Geriuusk replied.

“Let’s go then.” she said.

"Well, let's see." Geriuusk said, looking closely at the screens as he finally took to the main hallways, the beige walls bland and without decoration as a soft stench of rotting wood drifted throughout the room. Walking around, he could find no sign of an elevator, before he sighed. "The stairs? You must be kidding me." He complained.

"It's only the second floor." Haruim said.

“You’re lazy.” said Akila with a small smile. She moved towards the stairs and started up them. A smile across her lips as she stepped on each step.

"Bah! I don't enjoy being called lazy by nobles, thank you very much." Geriuusk snapped back, before smiling. "Well, it just looks like we'll have to do what we can."

“I’m not a lazy noble, you know. Being a noble doesn’t make me a different person.” she said, as they moved up the stairs. “I can cook, clean, and do house work, if need. Whom do you think keeps my parents cars in working order?”

She smiled. “Yup, I’m a grease monkey.”

"That's a fairly primitive use of colloquialism, I must admit." Geriuusk chuckled, taking out the key from the hold as he walked towards the stairs once more.

“So…all joking aside. How much danger will all of us be in, if the boy finds out that we’re spying on him?” she asked for the Hell of it. And to see how much shit her brother got her into.

"I don't know. His physical capabilities are average, and his marks are average, so it's difficult to know what about Dhelas Macro makes him interesting to the Eroivizuun." Geriuusk said, finally getting the canister as he picked it out. "Well, we have the key and the address for where we'll be staying. On regards to danger, I don't know. I hope not much, since Maiko has yet to send me and Haruim our things."

“I’m not worried about Macro…” she started. “It’s his friends that have me worried. If we’re found out, what will happen to us? Is there a back up plan to get us out of there?”

"Maiko Vijun will save us." Geriuusk said, smiling.

“Ah…the maker of your little swords.” she said with a playful tone and a smile. “What next?”

"We go to..." Geriuusk said, trying to read it. "...Mengiko's writing is terrible." He frowned, as Haruim snatched it from his hands.

"You're reading it upside down." She replied. "53 Mnelm Street, Apartment number 322."

“It's going to be fun working together, Geriuusk.” said Akila with a smile, which was holding back her laughter. “Okay, we have our location, I’ll allow one of you to lead us on our way as I’m a trustful civilian in this operation.”

Geriuusk sighed, "Let's go." He said, as Haruim pointed to an open window, revealing a modest apartment with a large black '322' painted fairly well on the sign, Geriuusk sighing. "This day just gets more and more straightforward, doesn't it?" He asked, as Haruim nodded. "So our destination was right across the street. Why the need to go through all this?"

"I don't know." Haruim said blankly.

“I have no idea either unless they want to make sure we followed orders.” said Akila, playing with her hair with right hand. ”Um…yeah, let’s go.”

"Well, let's go." Geriuusk said, crossing the street, the empty ghost-like road void of traffic. Reaching the apartment, he walked up the short flight of stairs before reaching the door, the '322' splashed all over the door, and fairly crudely, opening the room. Modest, were the words that could describe it.

Evidently, it carried nothing that would be belonging to anybody within the White Captaincy, though it was obviously very well designed. Within it, carried two small bedrooms and a small dip into a den that served as a temporary third one. A thin plasma television stood patiently upon a cleanly polished desk without much around, standing atop a plastic platform winding with odd designs. The stairs went down unto an upper floor, visible like a balcony within the room as the kitchen laid below it - the smell of fresh pine was fairly strong in the room, with the window open ajar revealing another balcony of stone that laced out into the outdoors, revealing a moderate cityscape.

"Very nice place." Geriuusk smiled, looking at it, as a small series of bags were placed at the front of the entrance. Upon them, a letter was visible. "Hmm?" Geriuusk said, looking down.

Picking it up, he recognized the elegant handwriting. It was Genkon's.

I know you probably aren't well with Captain Ushuimaru's choices, so I have a few clothes for the three of you to put on. It was a bit rushed, considering the fact that Akila was only recently put onto the roster, so I could only get clothing she was familiar with already. If you need any help, just ask.

Genkon

Geriuusk smiled, as Haruim nodded as well. "Let's change." He said, rummaging through the clothes, smiling. "I'm happy Genkon is the one choosing our clothing."

"I agree." Haruim said with a slightly more cheery tone.

At his estate, concentration flowed through Hamruun's mind, looking carefully as a rifle was pointed at his stomach from a distance. His hand was floating slightly above his hand, his thumb twitching in anticipation as he awaited carefully. Standing there, one of his officers held his gun firmly as he pulled the trigger, the bullet spiraling out.

In a swift moment, he unsheathed his sword, slashing in one clean stroke as the blade cleaved the bullet cleanly in two, the perfect shards falling onto the ground beside him, without harm. Breathing heavily, Hamruun nodded as the officer nodded back. "My Iaido is getting a bit rusty." Hamruun complained, looking at the two shards beside him.

“Lovely…” said Akila “I was just starting to feel ugly in thee clothes.” She smiled and picked up her bag at the entrance. Moving quickly inside, she heads towards the den. “Allow the noble to take the den, guys.”

After making it to the den, she places her bag on the floor and opens it up.

Haruim emerged from the changing closet in the new clothes, somewhat of a lessened and more relieved frown on her face. Her long, black sleek hair was falling softly onto her shoulder, dipping down onto a semi-burgundy vest with cut-off sleeves, slightly trimmed at the top, revealing her beautiful and smooth shoulders as her collar bone was visible. Her arms carried a pair of beautiful golden bracelets and her waist was covered in a skirt-like lavender pair of shorts that oddly combined very well with her upper shirt. She seemed to find it acceptable, looking with a certain satisfaction at it, walking to the kitchen.

Above there, on the dipped platform, she saw Geriuusk had already changed, he was dressed magnificently. Atop his body was a bare cerulean overshirt without a single stripe upon it, plain and simple, yet a black band was wrapped around his left arm as his shirt's bottom was split at the fringe, revealing a beautiful black leather belt with a silvery front. Dangling from the notches were long keychains and keys, all of them hitting softly upon his thin legs that were warmly accompanied within regular navy jeans with a set of skillfully set teal patches. "My, you look beautiful, Haruim." Geriuusk said, smiling, slightly blushing.

Haruim shrugged. "Thank you, Mr. Geriuusk." She replied.

She smiled as she pulled out some business like skirt-suit. The jacket and skirt was alight gray in color and there was a white button up shirt. Some black high hells, which make her laugh as she had wore a pair in years. Striping out of those ugly brown clothes, she quickly placed the skirt-suit on. “At else, it’s somewhat to my liking.” she said, talking about it being tight on her body. She left the first few buttons undone on the shirt as she placed on her high hells.

Moving out of the den, she heard what Geriuusk said and smiled. “You two look nice, but I look like a horny business woman.” she said with a smile.

Geriuusk chuckled slightly. "No, you look great, Akila." Geriuusk complimented, as Haruim nodded appreciatively. As Geriuusk continued cooking, the waft of beautiful roast beef and the sound of simmering potatoes upon the pans floating throughout the room, Haruim sat down at the tiny kitchen counter, reading over her papers.

"Akila, you'll be in charge of the English lessons for Mr. Macro. I'll be the acting secretary, and Mr. Geriuusk will be the new math teacher. You and Mr. Geriuusk will be in opposite rooms, so you can reach each other should things get out of hand or if either of you run into a problem." Haruim flipped over the page. "Also, you'll be required to start tomorrow. Their second semester begins tomorrow."

"Geez." Geriuusk said, complaining. "They really give no vacation time, do they?" He said with a half-hearted voice, as Haruim shrugged. "What do you think, Akila?"

“I’m fine with it.” she said with a smile. She moved over to the kitchen counter. “I’m better with English then my brother, so I’m the best one for the job.”

"Alright. A deposit of 1250 will be sent every 2 weeks. We can only use that money, most likely because the Eroivizuun would find our source of income fairly odd if we had an unlimited source. So, we'll need to be careful what we're buying." Haruim said.

"1250? I can easily manage months with that." Geriuusk smiled, as Haruim shrugged again. "You should lighten up a bit more, Haruim. Don't you think, Akila?"

“Um…still okay as money doesn’t make my world spin.” said Akila. “I can eat human food, but blood is the best for my body. If we buy some fresh meat, I can get the blood from there or set up traps for birds. Unlike food, blood is just plain blood.”

"That's a bit creepy, Akila." Geriuusk said, smiling.

“Creepy, yes.” she started. “But it is the best for my body like I said. You should try blood as vampire and werewolves aren‘t the only ones whom drink blood. A number of human warriors did in the past.”

"I'm not fond of drinking blood. I know a few Sadicistra are, but not me. I try to avoid that kind of predicament." Geriuusk smiled.

“Blood is most dislike to outsiders of the vampire culture, but they mostly don’t like the taste.” she started. “But take my grandfather, he doesn’t eat human food as it’s not good for his body like most pure vampires. My brother and I are more Damphir type vampires because of our mother’s vampire side, which from what I have learned was created by scene.”

“Cassandra and Saerus are Damphir vampires as their father wasn’t changed into a vampire after his marriage with Aunt Selene.” she adds. “Havoc, Chaos, and Jack Daniels are a few other Damphir vampires, which are under the payment of my grandfather.”

"You lost me there. That's a bit too much for me to think through." Geriuusk chuckled slightly.

"The semester begins soon." Haruim replied. "We should be getting a message from Lord Genkon sometime tonight."

“That’s good.” said Akila. “At else, I know I can make people bored.”

The doorbell rang, as Haruim opened the door, a timid, seemingly shy girl with short hair standing there, quiet and looking silently around Haruim's head as she finally spotted Gelectriax. She was minuscule, oddly extremely feminine girl, without a single word blurted out in interest, her mere presence unnoticeable. As she caught sight of Geriuusk, she tried to raise her voice from nothing more than a whisper, yet Geriuusk only smiled as he saw her.

"Kelen. What's up?" Geriuusk asked, seemingly a towering figure as his shadow already cast a good deal over her.

"You have a package from your eighth and ninth seat captains as well as your 3rd seat lieutenant." She said quietly, as Geriuusk patted her head, causing her to blush profusely.

Haruim sighed. "Virgin alert." She said, as Geriuusk raised up a frown on his face.

"Be nice." Geriuusk said.

“Hey, that’s not nice!” said Akila. She looked around and blushed. “Ah…sorry, you were talking about my virgin ass. No, male had touch a piece of my skin in the sexual sense.”

"Dear, dear." Geriuusk said, sighing. "This is quite the foul-mouthed perverted household. Well, I'm out for a walk right now, so if you please excuse me, I'll take a little break." He said, as Haruim nodded.

As Geriuusk left, Haruim looked out the shining sunlight, the warm rays splashing onto her soft skin, her hair tied back as she weaved a small pattern through unto her papers, her eyes scanning delicately around them. "Akila, did you read the papers?" She asked.

“Huh?” asked Akila, whom was watching Geriuusk leaving the apartment. “Ah…the papers, nope. I was trying to protect my virgin self. What’s in them?”

"Sentenced to eighty years in prison for manslaughter, charged on 4 lifetime terms for first degree murder, numerous charges of battery and assault, all of them acquitted by his friends in the higher ups of the Eroivizuun." Haruim said with a certain dissenting disgust. "We're not dealing with a particularly powerful or particularly manipulative person here. Dhelas Macro is a bloodthirsty young man."

As Geriuusk walked down the cloven quiet streets, he stood still as he watched a crouched figure feed a tiny cat parched upon the road, milk lapped quickly by its thirsty tongue. The boy carried a stern, yet soft look, standing up as he turned around, smiling at Geriuusk with a familiar face; he carried an air of confidence, yet he seemed eerie and odd. He stood there, his face lining with familiarity - Dhelas Macro.

"Hello, sir." He said, his smile breaking immediately.

"Hello." Geriuusk smiled back.

“What's best to combat a bloodthirsty person?” she asked, but didn’t allow for an answer to come. “A bloodthirsty vampire.” She smiled. “Dhelas Macro going to be a good target to spy on for this assassin. Should I go check up on our boy?”

"Please do." Haruim spoke swiftly.

"I hear you're a member of the Captaincy, Mr. Geriuusk." Dhelas spoke with courtesy, smiling slightly. He seemed to be a miniature version of Geriuusk - his thin stature, his humble nature, his everlasting that reeked with an eerie aura surrounding it. "How is spying on me so far?" He asked in detail, as Geriuusk chuckled.

"My, nothing gets past the Eroivizuun now, do they? Who's the spy?" Geriuusk asked with equal amusement, his hands in his pocket.

"We don't have such archaic methods now. It's all technological in this day and age." Dhelas chuckled slightly, as Geriuusk chuckled back. "So, I saw that there were three of you, including you. Where are the other two? And Miss Akila?"

"Oh? You know of Miss Akila?" Geriuusk asked, as Dhelas nodded.

"I always take a good look at whom will be evaluating me. If its information regarding the Eroivizuun, you're out of luck because I can't divulge that information." Dhelas said cheerily.

"What about a little torture?" Geriuusk said, as if offering a gift.

"I'll slit your throat." Dhelas replied with a strong, angry tone in his voice, yet a dark, evil smile ran through his face.

“Very well, my Queen.” she said with a smile. “Just make sure nothing happens to you.” With that, she disappeared from the kitchen and even got from the apartment. The vampire was tracking Geriuusk’s smell through his path before getting a stranger in the air.

Geriuusk was around the corner from her location and had a guest, but she didn’t know whom this other person. Sky time! Jumping up, Akila lands softly on the roof and moves to Geriuusk’s location.

Her eyes widen as she spotted the stranger, but she hoped that her current position was hidden from Dhelas. She would watch until Geriuusk need help. Maybe there wasn’t nothing about this meeting.

"I see." Geriuusk said, smiling evilly as Dhelas broke his own. "That could be taken as a threat, Dhelas." He said, as Dhelas chuckled.

"You can stop recording, Ishidun." Dhelas said, looking at Geriuusk's seemingly empty hand. "There's nothing you can do." He said, walking along quietly, before speaking out loud. He seemed to shout now. "Because I've never met you, I would like to. Please come out, Miss Akila." He spoke loudly, as Geriuusk had a look of shock on his face.

“Fine.” she said before jumping from the roof top, landing bare feet and her high hells in her hands. She rolled her eyes before saying “Damn, that’s sucks. I didn’t even get the chance to watch the little boy. I would have been the teacher that every boy want to be with.”

She smiled, spinning her high hells like there were six-shooters. “Young man, you have the wrong type of friends.” she said, her stare was of pure evil as she stopped the high heels, holding both like they were weapons.

"I'm not here to interfere with your jobs. Everyone has to eat, right?" Dhelas said, smiling at her with a warm, cheery smile reminiscent of Gengur Ushuimaru and his blank obliviousness. "You might wondering how I know you were there? Simple. I know you're surprised Mr. Geriuusk, it's in your nature."

"Then please explain to me." Geriuusk said, without turning around. "Do you have spies here?"

Dhelas shook his head. "Heavens no. I had spies. I knew that you were accompanied by two other women, Mekumunos Haruim and Akila Darkholme. I knew that you were a Jagite Malagan who enjoyed the sea, so the route you'd likely take was the one near the largest body of river, the coastline road amongst route 44. I also knew that Haruim was a pragmatist, so I would be forced to try and pick a location that would not provide many hiding spots. There was only one, thankfully, and this place contained no alleyways, gutter spots or releases in land. So, the only place that could be hidden are the roofs. There are six roofed houses, and its lined with outer apartments, so viewing from afar is not wise."

"So, you know that Akila was nearby..."

"...because I knew that Haruim was the only person who could discern the instructions given to the force by Mengiko. So, the remaining person, other than you, who would be out here is Akila Darkholme. I say, though, I admire the information and the stealth surrounding you, miss Akila." He said, chuckling slightly, his face a handsome and radiant stare; there was no malice in his smile. "You must have a very skilled and competent intelligence group, because it was difficult for my allies to track any information regarding you. In the end, all I could get was your name, so I'm deducing from your name that you're related to the sixth Menekrungo Farkas Darkholme?"

“Why would I tell you, young man? If your friends could find that out, then they are nothing but fools.” said Akila with a smile and a small sigh. “Even to your friends, I’m a ghost.”

"So you are related to Farkas Darkholme, I see." Dhelas smiled. "Still, I'm not friends with those in the Eroivizuun. I believe friendship contains a mutual understanding and trust between those involved."

"And there isn't one?" Geriuusk asked, as Dhelas shook his head.

"The Eroivizuun is getting dangerous; cocky; unstable. There's been rumors that a fifth council member has been elected, so it will only be more dangerous." Dhelas spoke. "What information I can give, I will do so."

"Why are you doing this? What do you hope to get out of this?" Geriuusk asked.

"Oh, please. My deductive abilities are far more superior than the rabble you'll find anywhere else. It's the sole reason why I'm so young and yet still within the higher echelon within the Eroivizuun. I know that they won't touch me if I'm in the company of two Menekrungo Vizithkanju, one of them being the Queen, which is quite a tactic by Mengiko, I must say."

"Tactic?" Geriuusk asked.

"Yes, Karakorun Mengiko is a much smarter man that he lets on. He assigned Haruim as part of the team so that should something happen to Haruim, Suriga will act instinctively against the Eroivizuun with proper force. And he knows that Suriga will possibly fail, forcing Ferruga Orodome and Maiko Vijun to act as well." Dhelas analyzed with pinpoint accuracy and sharpness. "So, he knows that I will be anticipating this, so the Eroivizuun won't make a move if the Queen is involved. If the Queen is involved, the three of you are effectively a shield for me, whether you know it or not."

"So does that mean..." Geriuusk continued.

"...yep." Dhelas answered. "The actual purpose of this mission is not to spy on me, but to serve as my protectors. I am under amnesty by the law of Arcarum Dreskisk, and according to my analysis, the most effective route is to reveal what position I really am in order to clarify anything. Any questions?" He said, looking at both Geriuusk and Akila.

“My, my, what has my brother got me into? I feel tricked and I don’t like it.” said Akila, holding back something full of anger. “So…what’s next?” She was now there for the ride as leaving the mission will be same to her and the rest of her family.

"How are you carrying out this mission, exactly? Arcarum was fairly slim on the details." He asked.

“Don’t ask me, I’m only a temp.” said Akila.

"Surely you guys must be doing some kind of undercover act?" Dhelas asked.

“How rude, young man, we’re not those type of people. I’m not that type of girl, I would get under covers with some random person.” said Akila with a smile. The look in her eyes would show them that she wasn’t being serious. She wasn’t going to give away anything unless order to do so.

"Ah, fine, fine." Dhelas Macro said, turning around. "I'll be off then. I'll see you guys later." He walked off.

"Well, a very interesting fellow. Now I know why the Eroivizuun hired him." Geriuusk said with a chuckle.

Walking over to Geriuusk, Akila only smiled and placed her high heels back on. “This mission is interesting, too.” she said. “I’m going to check on Haruim. Follow me, if you want.” With that, she heads off back to check on Haruim.

"Sure." Geriuusk shrugged. "It must hurt to walk this distance in those high heels. Especially in the sands." Geriuusk said, looking at his sandals.

“I didn’t pick them out.” she said, rolling her eyes.

"Oh, yes." Geriuusk said, smiling. "Genkon is arriving tonight, so you can talk to him about it."

“Everything?” she asked. Trying to figure what was going down.

"It's fine, it's fine." Geriuusk said, chuckling slightly again. The sun was already a crimson ball of fire within the setting dunes, yet the darkness of night crept swiftly over the sky as it shimmered with the stars already, the jeweled blackness shining brightly as a sickle of a silver moon danced with awe in the night. "It's dark already." Geriuusk said, sighing.

“Let’s get home then, I think we’ll have a guest to entertain.” said Akila. She moved a little faster, but didn’t let Geriuusk get to far behind her.