NationStates Jolt Archive

The office of the Hegemon, Sumguaia, The Holy Empire of Lord Sumguy:

Lord Sumguy smiled as he bounced his four-year-old daughter, Alexandra, on his knee, the child giggling happily. Beside them sat Captain Wall, Lord Sumguy's bodyguard, who these days mostly functioned as the infant's nanny. He was giving a report, but smiled despite himself at Alexandra's obvious delight. "Sir, as I was saying.."

"What? Oh yes, the Royal Guard."

"Yes. The new recruits have completed their training, bringing the total strength up to near 40,000 men."

"Exellent, that should be enough for now."

"Are you sure? It seems that every month now someone wants to declare war on us or the Hegemony."

"And i doubt that military might will dissuade them. Those who would destroy us already posses far more power than we do in that respect, and making the Royal Guard larger will not change that."

"Very well, i see your point."

The two men continued speaking about various matters concerning the nation and the Hegemony. The building was filled with secretaries and accountants whos job it was to keep the nation running smoothly, and the occasional general or minister consulting some document. There were twelve guards scattered throughout the building, and two stationed at the entrance.

OOC: bump. Comon folks, lets get this thing going!

Sekai sat quietly in the plane. He was dressed as he normally was; like nobility. There was no need to dress like a barbarian when he had work to do. Tserax was adamant in his decision, wanting to move him to the next job since the other Sakianda were incompetent, inactive, slow. Looks like it was up to him. It couldn’t be help.

Sitting in the plane, it was a swift flight to the fall of the terminal, the autumn breeze deftly blowing as the wondrous scent of maple filled the air. The steel jungle along a coastal concrete ocean stood before him, the tall edifices and massive knives stabbing defiantly into the sky - it was a grand sight, as Sekai smiled. He was a tall, somewhat thin man, though he had a well built body. This was of little use, however, as he walked around with flowing silver robes and a porcelain white sheath at his black-robe covered waists, his feet walking gently as his beautiful sandals clattered quietly amongst the floors of the terminal, his eyes scanning around as his mind thought carefully. His hair was wild, long, yet unbearably giving an air of power and charisma, women unable to do anything but fawn and be excited at his easily noticed presence.

He carried burgundy eyes, pale white skin and an umbrella, walking in the basking warm sunlight as the cool breeze blew gently upon his face. Lavender filled the air and maple leaves drifted by in blankets along the deserted road, the occasional car zooming by with a loud zip of noise as the man within it threw his cigarette out the window carelessly. Sekai frowned. Such dirtiness. He thought, before another civilian, a copper-bronze haired woman walking her dog, picked it up with a slightly disgusted face and threw it gently into a nearby trash can. He smiled at her, as she blushed slightly and looked away, walking off. Good people still exist. He thought again.

He thought carefully, wondering what would happen should he fail – Tserax was a terribly powerful fighter, and he made Kings fall to their knees; history has proven his influence reached far before. A man of such danger could be a threat to the sheer chaotic nature of the organization, though Sekai would follow him to his death. His neck hurt slightly, his tattoo burning somewhat as he felt a small sting on his adam’s apple, sighing softly. Continuing, he walked along the road, taking his time. It was not long before his long, ethereally flowing robes caught in the foot of one person, a girl with pretty mahogany shaded horn-rimmed glasses. She wore a plain navy blue t-shirt, her brassiere strap visible from the edge of her shoulders as her long golden-crimson hair shimmered like fire in the maple breeze. A tiny nose and pair of lips adorned this soft face, her eyes a milkweed green. She, like the many woman who glanced at Sekai’s majestic clothing style and his commanding presence, was taken aback and surprised.

He reached out his hand to her, kneeling slightly. “Are you alright?” He tried to smile, though it looked as if his face in pain, a deep sadness etched into his heart as he did so. Sekai’s long snow hair stretched down to his waist, and on it’s top was a band of cloth that shimmered like his umbrella in his other hand. She grabbed it tightly, and with that, he pulled her up, gently, though surely with confident force.

She slipped only slightly, but she fell into his arms, her body feeling the warmth around him, though a slight coldness still lingered where his heart would be. “Ah, thank you.” She said, before moving back, looking at him. “Are you new here?” She asked, surveying him with interest, her smile bright and cheerful.

“I am.” Sekai said, nodding slowly. “My name is – “

“You don’t really need to tell me your name.” She said, smiling. “We probably won’t see each other again anyways.” She turned, before turning back to him. “Are you lost?”

“For the most part, yes.” Sekai said, nodding again, still slowly. She chuckled briskly. “What’s so funny?”

“Nothing, it’s just, you speak very good English for someone who looks so different.” She said, chuckling, as Sekai raised his eyebrows.

“Are these problematic?” Sekai asked, as she opened up his hands, closing the umbrella and took the long silver robes off his shoulders. “What’re you doing?”

“You look like you’re going to a costume party.” She said, chuckling. “Plus, it’s not so hot right now to warrant an umbrella. Though, you’re pretty cute, you know that?” She said again, smiling widely.

“Thank you for the compliment.” He replied with courtesy. “Though, I must be going.”

“Where?”

“Office of the Hegemon.”

“Oh! You’re a diplomat?” She asked, as Sekai hesitated, before nodding. “Well, why didn’t you say so, Mr. Diplomat?” She grabbed him by the arm, before pulling him along.

It was a twist and turn along the streets, and they ran into traffic accidents, angry dogs and flippant elderly (much to their dismay), but it was not long before he stood outside the gates of the Hegemon. Smiling, Sekai looked at the girl who had guided him there. “Thank you.” He said, as she replied with a cheerful nod.

“Oh, my name’s Christina Macdonald. Just look me up on the phone book if you ever need a tour guide, Mr. Diplomat!” She yelled back from a bit away, smiling as she waved goodbye. Sekai sighed.

“Who’re you?” He turned, seeing a security guard as Sekai gently touched his hand, slipping a small silver pill on his hand. It was equipped with a minuscule detonation, looking like a ladybug, gently touching his fingers before running through the doors. The guard, turning around, took out his gun and fired, though he missed through ravaging noise of zipping bullets as Sekai rushed in. People looked around, wondering what was going on, before not long Sekai pressed a small button in his long sleeves, a gargantuan inferno and blast engulfing all in flame, his outer robes burnt to the crisp. He did need it.

Rushing up through the stairs, he took out a Browning Machine gun as the security guards rushed towards him, forcing him to fire quickly as he kneeled down low before a series of columns sticking out of the wall, turning around, he fired off another blast before ducking down again.

The process repeated itself over and over again, and lead poured like wildfire into a mountain as he made his way past the outer offices towards the top floor, an unstoppable machine.

"Fifteen." Sekai said, his fingers touching the lad little pad from his little bunch, looking and nodding happily as he looked to see a series of constables rushing through the hallways towards him, pressing a button before not long a giant ray of light engulfed the entire office in perpetual whiteness. Flash bombs of the strongest variety, Sekai moved around freely, using sound sensors to find and kill those he could find without any difficulty, smashing into a window as he mistook one of the spots, before not long disappearing into the blackness that retook its domain. From there, Sekai twisted around the corner, waiting in silence as they marched around.

"Where are you, my friend?" Sekai asked, moving and walking in an almost invulnerable fashion.

OOC: Vojvodina-Nihon, your post will be ignored. I am sorry, but though I may have allowed you to create a character in my antion, you will NOT RP my police force. IC post coming soon.

The smile faded from Lord Sumguy's face as he heard the explosion in the front of the building. The Captain was already at the door, a gun drawn. He heard gunfire and closed the door.

"Leave. Now."

The Hegemon hesitated for a moment, then tossed his bodyguard the keys to his desk, picked up his child, and walked out the fire exit to a car. Back in the office, Cptn. Wall opened the only locked drawer in the huge desk, which contained a P-90 sub-machinegun and four magazines. Maybe he doesn't need my protection that much.. The bodyguard thought, flipping the safety on the weapon and undoing a strap to the ceremonial sword on his back. He opened the door facing the explosion and walked out into a now dust-filled corridor, moving towards the gunshots.

OOC: sorry 'bout the short post, I'm tired.

Sekai stood in a pile of blood and guts, a warm, sweet stench filling his nostrils as the wafting smell of a cherry fog humidly rifted around. Standing there, his eyes looking at the bodies, he frowned to himself as the window shined brightly, the sunlight shining through his parasol was closed slightly. He took out his long white sword, preparing himself for the kill. And then, and only then, it would be done. It was not long before he stood before Captain Wall, his eyes emotionless, unsurprised. "Can you move?" Sekai asked clearly. It was obvious that elite fighters could sense those who were elite amongst a rabble, and this man exuded a magnificent aura of strength. "I would prefer not to get into a fight with you. I have business to take care of."

"You are too late. Lord Sumguy has left. Did you think he would stay after the explosion when he had his daughter with him?" The man laughed mirthlessly at the suggestion he step aside. "I did not become the bodyguard of the Hegemon and commander of the Royal Guard by avoiding combat. Leave now, and i won't kill you, as i would be too busy trying to minimize the effects of your sensless rampage." He continued, drawing his sword.

"Oh? Is that so?" Sekai said, looking at Captain Wall. "A man to laugh at me isn't a nobody, and I have good eyes." Sekai said, looking him with a veiled interest. "So, perhaps it would be best to tell me where he is heading? Surely such a man like you would know where he is." Sekai took out his sword, and he knew Captain Wall would do the same - it wasn't a fight where guns and war machines would reign; this fight was one of tradition.

A simple competition between who was stronger.

"Ah, but I am afraid I cannot tell you. You see, I have been protecting Lord Sumguy for fourteen years, and old habits die hard."

With that the Captain struck, a heavy downward slash aiming for his enemy's face, his 7-foot long sword easily covering the distance between them.

"Oh?" Sekai said, as the sword hit the end of his sheath, the sword standing erect in porcelain white shimmer as Sekai's eyes drooped slightly lower. "Strong." Sekai said, kicking his sheath as his sword slid, equally long. His left arm stretched out as his fingers fanned out, his right arm holding only the end of his sword's handle, he held the blade aimed at the Captain as he looked carefully. "You have the muscle, I will tell you that. Why the downwards slash, though?"

"I was relying on you being significantly physically weaker than myself, if i could have overcome you with pure brute force in that blow, the fight would have been over." The Captain responded cordially. "Shall we continue?"

"I see. I guess this can take a while." Sekai said, charging, his speed incredible, his power in his blade destructive. It was sharp, prepared, his hilt touching it slightly as it was chained to his wrist on a steel band, though it made sure he never forgot his sword; it had no battlefield significance. "Time for my power." Sekai would not allow himself to be beat in brute force.

Meanwhile, Christina Macdonald had finally slumped down into her apartment, her groceries slumped on her cupboard as she walked over to her phone and checked the messages. She frowned; 22 messages from her ex-boyfriend alone. Sighing, she erased them all as her roommate walked in, a woman with jet black hair and sharp, intelligence exuding glasses. She, always fair, prettier than Christina, a bottle of pop in her hands as she placed it in the garbage can, before, with an undead aura, walked over to her television. "So, why did you take so long for green onions?" She asked nonchalantly.

"I met a diplomat on the way there. He was going to the Hegemon office." Christina replied cheerfully. "Actually, he was quite cute."

"Oh...wait, the Hegemon office?" Her roommate asked in disbelief.

"Yeah, why?" Christina replied in question.

"It was bombed this afternoon." She notified her.

"Oh. Fuck." Christina gasped.

"You are fast. Good. I like a challenge." The Captain replied, as they exchanged blows, each parrying, thrusting, and slashing in turn. "Although power will overcome speed in a long fight. Tell me, why did you bomb the building? It merely causes unneeded death and lessens youyr chance of success, as your intended target would be the first to leave once an explosion occured." As he said this, he feinted as tab, switching to a horizontal slash at the last moment. His sword cut into the plaster wall of the corridor they were in, and went through it, coming out next to his enemy's head.

"I'm killing two birds with one stone." Sekai said, turning his head to face the blade, bending back slightly as he felt the razor sharp shear upon his eyelashes. "Oh, looks like that was close." He touched his eyelashes for a bit, feeling the clean cut on them. "I myself have to do another thing." He lifted his blade in the same stance again, holding it gently, yet also tightly; beautifully, yet horrifically. "My Lord wants your leader to know that his existence is detrimental to the overall natural evolution of the world. The strong live, the weak, die. However." Sekai dipped down lower, his leg bending out slightly. "Looks like you're not weak, so there are exceptions now and then."

He took out a small black bag, running it gently along his sword as it began to emit a thick, ghostly white smoke, drifting around like a wondrous display of dancing apparitions as with every swing of his sword it was a like he was in a play; truly everything about Sekai Hamruun gave off an aura of elegance and obvious formality. However, as it steamed, red symbols appeared on its end - a trapped sun surrounded by eight prongs. Sekai was ready to brand him. "I will remember you. With this," he went into his stance, "you will see my view of things, and my Master's view of things." He charged.

The Captain was not expecting a sudden charge, and raised his own weapon to block. The glowing sword slid upward along his, causing him to cry out in pain as the flat of the blade was pressed against the side of his face, and the pattern burned into his skin. He stumbled backward, clutching his face for a moment, as his eyes became red and his breathing and heart rate increased to more than double the normal rate.* Roaring, he charged back at his adversary with near unnatural speed, his sword a blur as he swung at the man who had just branded him.



*OOC: this is what happens when he goes beserk. You've really pissed him off at this point, and he is now far more dangerous.

"Oh - " Quickly, Sekai's sword was cleaved in two by the sudden force, the blade digging deeply into his stomach as Sekai was, for a second, nearly sliced in half. "I didn't think the human body could push this far." Sekai said, slicing himself out, blood splashing gently from his mouth as he regained his composure. Taking his broken sword, Sekai frowned, taking his long outer robes off, revealing a large gash in his stomach - although not deep enough to have him go unconscious, it was enough to seriously reduce the amount of time he can fight. "Looks like I have no other...choice." He groaned, frowning. He drew out a second sword, not as long, though wrapped in brown bandages as if blood was dried along it.

"I haven't had Dagashdai tasted blood in a long time." Sekai said, talking to the sword in his hands; it wasn't silver, and it was unmarked, save for a small hole in it's center blade. Putting it under his wound, he looked carefully as the blood smoothly fell into the hole, forming a makeshift bubble as Sekai closed his eyes, stretching it out as he slashed out an invisible star shaped symbol in the air. A thick, red gas followed his every swing, forming a loose pentagram. "You will not pass this barrier." He said, before wrapping his sword back up quickly, turning around. He stumbled a little - clearly he was losing too much blood already, though regained his posture. "You're an interesting man. I will deal with you later." He threatened, dashing off into the blackness.

Cptn. Wall stepped backward away from the gas, watching the man's retreating form. He threw his head back and laughed, his voice echoing throughout the building. "Run, coward! Get back to the pit that spawned you and lick your wounds!" He then turned away and began attending to the few people in the building who were injured, but still alive.

"No, the Professor doesn't seem too fond of Mercedes, so I don't think he'd drive one." Christina said, walking in the pouring rain that as her phone suddenly died from the low battery. "Ah, shit." She said, groaning in disappointment before she walked past a fallen body in an alley, turning back to take a look, seeing the long flowing hair of Sekai Hamruun, his silvery hair stained in cherry red blood as it seeped out slowly through into the storm gate beside him. She was shocked, running towards his body as she started to slightly panic, trying to turn her cell phone on. "HEL -" A hand covered her mouth.

It was Sekai's. "Do not call for help." Sekai said, looking at her as she began to sweat in the cold rain, a fear running through her spine, an instinct telling her something was wrong, that this man was more than he let her on to assume. "I need a favor from you." Sekai asked, his eyes desperate, wanting to cry yet his pride would not allow it. He kept his pain and discomfort, his teetering line of life and death invisible from her, trying to stay strong.

Christina closed her eyes. "Fine, but I need to help first. You're bleeding badly, and I gotta get you to a hos - " A knife was pulled, as she began to gasp slowly, exhaling calmly to stay such. Sekai did not, however, point it at her, as it's tip was slowly shifted to his neck, nicking it slightly as a drop of blood slowly trickled out. "What-What are you doing?!" She asked incredulously.

"If you go to anyone, I will kill myself." Sekai said. "And you will have to live with being responsible for my death. I don't want to hurt you. Can you please, just please, not call anyone? It isn't that deep of a wound. I'll survive." Sekai said, though it seemed like he was losing alot of blood.

"But where are you going? If you stay out here, your wound will be infected." She said, thinking.

"How far are you from home?" Sekai asked, as Christina's eyes opened wide.

"Oh, no. No, no, no." She said, shaking her head quickly

"I'll pay rent. I'll pay whatever you ask. I just need a place to stay for a little while. Please, I beg of you. I'll do anything." Sekai said, as her face turned melancholic, her face sorrowful.

"Fine." With that, she slung him over her shoulders, straining under the heavy weight, and dragged him home.

Sumguaian Daily Times

Office of Lord Sumguy Bombed!

Early yesterday afternoon, the office of the Hegemon was ripped apart by an enormous explosion in the lobby. Thirteen people were killed by the blast, and a man who appears to have been the bomber entered the building to kill others. A total of twenty-six men and women were brutally murdered before the intruder was stopped by none other than Captain Wall, commander of the Royal Guard. Lord Sumguy and his daughter were unhurt.

Surveilance cameras show the intruder and Captain Wall engaging in a sword duel, during which a strange inverted sun pattern was branded upon the Captain's face. The intruder fled after suffering a gash to the stomach. The suspect appeared to be wearing expensive clothing resembling that of the aristocrats of some foreign nations, and is beleived to be from outside of the Empire. Anyone with information regarding the bombing, suspect, or significance of the pattern is advisedc to contact the local authorities. The Abrahamic League has announced that they will begin a manhunt this individual, with the intent being to turn him in if possible, and to kill him if capture should prove to be unacheavable. More details will be released as the story develops.

______________________________________________________________________________________

Sumguaian military base three miles outside of city limits:

Captain Wall sat on the table, sitting patiently as an army doctor treated his burn. "I'm afraid you are going to have to get used to having an inverted sun on your face," the man was saying, "because this pattern is probably never going to dissapear."

"A minor inconvenience. Have you found out if i was exposed to whatever gas that was?"

"Well, we arent sure what it is exactly, but i can assure you that if you had been exposed, you would definitely know it. It appears to cause extreme dysentry..horrible way to die." The doctor shuddered at the thought of such a fate. "It's a good thing you didnt try to run through it, or that surveilance video would be very humiliating."

"I know better than to run through a cloud of unknown gas. Lord Sumguy and Alexandra are alright?"

"Perfectly fine, although the child was rather frightened."

"Good."

Christina looked at the news, her mind making the connection as she sat there, quietly, coldly, saying nothing as Sekai laid there silently. "Did you do it?" She asked, not facing him as Sekai closed his eyes, almost as if he was sighing. "Did you it, sir?" She asked, her voice tense and shaken, almost as if she was about to cry. "Tell me the truth."

Sekai was silent. "I did." He said, closing his eyes, waiting for it, as soon enough a strong slap was felt across his face, Sekai sighing as Christina sat down on the couch, her face buried in her hands as she ran through her hair, shaking and trembling slightly. "I'm sorry." Sekai said softly.

"Sorry? You're sorry? Oh fuck, fuck. Fuck!" She said, standing up, her fingers rubbing her forehead gently yet quickly. "You're sorry?!" She walked around, her hand reaching to the phone, ready to call the police before she stopped suddenly. He was, after all, unable to move. He couldn't go anywhere. Before she would call the police, she would go out to buy some groceries, probably kohlrabi, some chard, she didn't know. "I'm going out. Enjoy your last moments of free life." She slammed the door shut.

Biking towards the bank to withdraw her money, she stopped as she took out her card, putting it into the machine as she waited slightly, looking at how much she had left. Recently, due to her university fees, she was barely able to make ends meet, with a full-time job and school, only capable of spending no more than twenty to thirty dollars every two weeks. Sighing sadly, she waited, before her number popped up.

$114,889.64

She was shocked. Her eyes opened wide, her mouth swung ajar at the number that flickered on the screen before her. How? Where did that amount come from? It was soon that she remembered that Sekai had promised to pay for rent, and that earlier he made phone calls to do so. Was this blood money? Did people die for him to send this, like how people died at the bombing of the Office of the Hegemon? Who was this man? Truly no mere diplomat could walk around with this much to spare. She quickly closed her details, turned in the opposite direction, and rushed home.

Sekai only heard the pounding of steps upon the apartment before the door clicked open, Christina's blood-flushed face before him, her eyes swimming in a sea of curiosity. "Was that you?" She asked, as Sekai raised his eyebrows in confusion. "The money. Did you send the money?"

Sekai nodded. "That is my rent fee. Is that a satisfactory amount?" He asked, Christina sitting down, closing her eyes. "If you tell no one, I will not make any trouble. If you are under suspicion, I will leave immediately. If you are in danger, I will make that it passes by you with none. I simply ask for a place to lay low while the heat is high."

"Just to lay low?" Christina asked, as Sekai nodded. "A-Alright." She stuttered slightly, sitting down, her head still deep within her hands.

From a terminal within an airport, a man with short, spiky hair stood silently, a long wrapped object slung over his shoulder, his maple-eyed face sharp, left side burnt with an insignia of the Sakrianda incinerated forever into his face. He frowned, as the people around him believed this mark on his left cheek was nothing more than a tattoo, walking quickly in track pants and a rolled up track suit, quickly going to a phone terminal.

Dialing for the operator, he asked one thing. "Connect me to the Lord of the Hegemon, immediately." He spoke with a tone of dominance. Upon his neck, his adam's apple, was a black '3'.

"Lord of the Hegemon?" The woman asked on the other end of the line. "There is no such thing. Do you mean the Hegemon, Lord Sumguy? I'm afraid i cant do that, as he is currently in a hidden location under guard. I can however, connect you to his bodyguard's cellphone. What is your reason for this call?"* The operator said, sounding cynical. There had been a constant stream of calls to the Captain, mostly random people who had seen the video of the duel babbling about how he was a hero and how they admired him. The operator thought the whole thing rather strange, it wasn't very often that a soldier was treated as if he were a celebrity. She had even seen one of the more deranged tabloids in a grocery store with the headline: Captain Wall: Skill and Experiance, or Supernatural Powers?



OOC: Hegemon is the title of the head of the Hegemony, an international alliance i founded. Sorry 'bout the tabloid bit, couldn't resist.

"Ah! What a pain in the ass." He said loudly into the phone. "Very well. Tell the bodyguard this; I am connected to the man who is after Sumguy's head. Fair enough?" He said, chuckling maniacally. "Don't talk to me with that shit tone next time."

"Right now, you are involved in a dangerous game of cat and mouse. You are fighting an army of killers and serial murderers that will only come stronger and stronger. If you want this to end quickly, quietly, and without your leader or his precious family being put in danger, you will meet me immediately. Where is a good place to meet without many people to eavesdrop? I don't know this country well." He said, scratching his tattoo painstakingly.

All color drained from the woman's face, and she hurredly connected to the Captain, who answered his phone, puzzled.

"This is Captain Wall."

"A man has asked to speak with you, he says he is connected with the bomber."

"Very well, put him through."

The operator did so, and the Captain spoke once the connection had been established.

"So, you wish to speak to me?"

"Right now, you are involved in a dangerous game of cat and mouse. You are fighting an army of killers and serial murderers that will only come stronger and stronger. If you want this to end quickly, quietly, and without your leader or his precious family being put in danger, you will meet me immediately. Where is a good place to meet without many people to eavesdrop? I don't know this country well." He said, scratching his tattoo painstakingly.

"It wouldn't be the first time i would be facing such odds. I know of a place in the hills near Sumguaia, it was a hideout for the League during our revolution. Meet me there, any treachery and I will kill you. To get to the location, drive four miles North of the city, and onto a small dirt road with a cross stuck in the ground next to it. Follow that for two miles, and stop at a billboard with a crescent on it. Then proceed on foot two hundred yards west. I will be waiting."

It wasn't long before he had hitched a ride, sat quietly listening to the taxi driver's stories about his daughter in university, and eventually soon enough he had reached to the billboard, stopping here. "Thanks." He said appreciatively, paying his fare as the taxi sped off, a storm of dust kicking up like dry apparitions choking him, his neck coughing slightly as the tattoo burned, the black mark turning a slight reddish shade. "Damn, on foot." With that, he began to walk. Two hundred yards, thankfully, didn't take long.

"So, what do you wish to discuss?" said a voice to his left. Captain Wall walked toward him holding an assault rifle. His eyes darted to the 3 on the man's neck, remembering having seen an identical tattoo on the neck of the bomber, and a similar 11 on the arm of Gregory Woodson.

"Ah, what a pain in the ass." The man said, walking over to the edge of a hill, sitting down, lying sprawled out. He closed his eyes. "Let me ask you this. Do you know what the word Sakrianda means?"

"Sakrianda means 'Rebuild'. It's Aggragrian. They are an organization that have ties throughout the world, and are leaders of an army called 'The Sons of Sagacity'. Perhaps you have heard of the situation in Waldenburg right now? The assassination attempt on the Cenobiarch? That was a work of a Sakrianda." He got up. "The man you fought was a Sakrianda. Number 3, Dollface."

"I cannot say that i do."

"Ah, yes. Silvereye. I heard you did a number on him." The man said, smiling evilly. "However, my job is to maintain discipline amongst the Sakrianda. I am here to ensure that the death of Dollface goes as smoothly as possible. On orders of our Leader." He closed his eyes again.

"That was the Sakrianda? I'd better inform Johnson then. Was there perhaps a number 11 Sakrianda as well?"

"Of course. I don't have the resources to hunt him down." He said, stretching out. "You're familiar with the Dagashdai, right? The Sword of Humility?" He asked Captain Wall.

"And you would have me help you kill him."

"I am afraid not, would that be the sword that branded me, and apparently you?"

"Oh? You have never seen the red fog?" He said, chuckling. "The sword that brands is a sword that is regular to all Sakrianda. It is the symbol that represents the elite of the chaotic, the organization's Leader's personal attack squad. This branding is a little fight I had with the fifth Sakrianda. Though, obviously, I can't tell you who that is. Then again, even if I did, it would make no difference on whether you can find them or not. They're scattered all over the world, and we have so many fighters in reserve that destroying us is impossible." He unwrapped his equipment, revealing a long silver sword that bent slightly into a crescent at the end, forming a makeshift spear-like object. "The branding of the Sons of Sagacity means that you are affected by the great plan. However, because Dollface messed up, I have to rectify this error."

"And if i help you kill him, will I not be next? From what I can tell I am somewhat of a thorn in your organization's side, having killed one of your Sakrianda and causing another to fail in his task. Once you have dealt with him, will not your leader send someone to kill me?"

"Of course." He said, chuckling. "No, you have done exactly what you were supposed to do. Through the death and failure of Dollface and Silvereyes, my Leader knows now to apply harsher guidelines to the Sakrianda. You have just made us stronger, so why should we punish that?"

"Well, i do hope to make a habit of it, and of course the fact remains that Lord Sumguy is still a 'threat' to your goals and you must go through me to kill him. Very well though, I will assist you in killing this man. After all, I need to repay him for his lovely gift."

"Don't worry too much. If worst comes to worst, my Leader will deal with the situation personally." He said, standing up, stretching.

"Oh, I doubt it will. If by some smal chance both you and I should fail to kill him, I'm sure a few hundred Royal Guard could finish the job."

"I do hope so. My Leader has been very stressed recently, and this recent set of events isn't going to bode well by him."

"Well I certainly wouldn't want him to be stressed." The Captain responded sarcasticly. "What do you want me to do?"

He chuckled. "It'll be easy. Desecrate the body of Silvereyes on television, but play it only in certain regions at certain intervals. When he acts, we'll know what region he's hiding in within your country. What'd you think?"

Meanwhile, Sekai had already gotten up, cutting up vegetables as Christina and her friends came home drinking, ditzy and mindless as they laid down upon the couch. He sighed, walking to the washroom, coming out with a set of blankets as he gently plied them over, opening the window slightly to allow a gentle, cool breeze to invade the apartment. One of them, a waxy-haired woman with chestnut brown eyes, looked at Sekai in her half-aware daze. "Who're you?"

"I'm Christina's keeper." Sekai said with a tone of formality, before she dozed off. Night flew over, and morning rose with a splash of dew upon the bough.

As Christina woke up, Sekai was sitting down in the kitchen, reading a book he had found in her bedroom; a university textbook she was studying for her marketing courses. Walking to the fridge to make breakfast, she was surprised at the beautifully cooked waffles, eggs and fruit salad awaiting her; fresh, delightful, colorful and crawling with mouthwatering appeal. She sat down, scratching her head, the throbbing headache in her mind strong, as Sekai handed her two Tylenols and a small cup of water. She gulped it down in a swift flash before beginning her breakfast. Before she could, however, he stopped her by grabbing her hand.

"Brush your teeth." He said sternly, as she closed her eyes, and droopingly, lumbered towards the washroom.

"Desecrate a body? Never. I am sorry, but such an action is against my moral code. Besides, even if i had no personal qualms about it i would probably be ripped apart by angry rioters as soon as the video was shown. You must understand: For a free society, we are extremely religious and moralistic, and people such as myself are expected to act as examples for the rest. Perhaps a publicized challenge instead?"

"Won't work. Sekai, although proud, does not respond to challenges if it'll put him in the open. His friendship with Silvereyes is much more close than the Leader usually allowed. So, Plan B. Do you have the death penalty in this country?"

"Yes, we do."

"Hmm." He thought carefully, before seeing a flicker of light from his pocket, opening up his cell phone before he pressed a few buttons. It was not long before his eyes contorted into immense surprise, his face in fear, frowning before he closed it. "Damn, Lord, what are you doing?" He turned to Captain Wall. "We're short on time. An open challenge would be best in this situation."

"Very well, I will make one. If he should show himself and fight me, do not interfere until one of us has died or fled." The Captain stood up, regarding the man in front of him with a mixture of disgust and mild curiosity. "We are done here then?"

"Yes, we'd better hurry. If we don't hurry, we'll have more than one Sakrianda to deal with, and I'm only capable on breaking Sekai Hamruun." He said, preparing. "Oh, my name is Nike. It's a simple name to remember."

"Very well, goodbye. Meet me here again once the challenge has been made."

later that day..:

Sumguaian National News Network (live broadcast):

"This is Bob Jenkins reporting live from a classified location, where Lord Sumguy is staying under guard for up to a week due to the bombing yesterday. I think i see Captain Wall over there.." *reporter moves quickly to catch up with the Captain* "Captain, do you have any comment on the bombing yesterday?"

"It was a tragic event, i send my condolences to the families of the dead."

"And what of the man you fought?"

"He is a coward and a murderer, unfit to live. It takes a supreme lack of honor and courage to run from a fair fight, and even more to attempt to poison your opponent. I hope that he may show himself, I have unfinished business with the man. I find it a sad thing that citizens of this nation are willing to hide him and allow such a great evil to exist, and i can only pity those who are, for they will likely be his next victims"

*The Captain walks into another room and closes the door.*

"Bold words from the legendary Captain Wall. Looks as if he views the man's retreat yesterday as a disgrace and a personal insult. I would definitely not want to be that assasin with a man such as him after me, that's for sure. Back to you for the weather, Ann."

Nike sat quietly on the gentle grass, the tall green fingers creeping up already like legions of nature as they drifted in the gust of the wind, looking up at the cloudless blue sky. "So tranquil." He said, closing his eyes, waiting for Captain Wall to appear.

Sekai closed his eyes. "Is that so?" He said, wafting the smell of dense coriander out through the kitchen window, before Christina walked in, her eyes slightly drooping before she sat down and droopingly swung from left to right. Quickly, he rushed over and grabbed her shoulders, pacing her and balancing her as she closed her eyes once more. "Are you alright?" Sekai asked, as she nodded half-heartedly, gulping down a non-existent water as she looked closely at Sekai.

"Hey, do you want to go grocery shopping with me today?" She asked, as Sekai looked at his watch. "It's at five."

"Alright." Sekai said, patting her head gently. "It's a date." Christina turned beet red, with Sekai paying no attention, looking at his cellphone. It didn't bold well.

six hours after he had left Captain Wall appeared on a hill near Nike and approached him. "It is done."

OOC: if they are indeed going to go grocery shopping, please RP it.

"Good. Well, If there's nothing left for me, I'm going to go buy some food." He said, turning around, walking off. "If there's anything you need, call me."

Sekai looked different. His usually long hair was cut short now, glazed in a black shimmering shine, rectangular glasses on his face with fake lenses. He had an intellectual look, his face clean shaved and smooth, his eyes changed with contact lenses to a boring burgundy. He did not wear his normal robes of nobility, but rather a white long sleeved shirt with his sleeves rolled up, a silver bracelet on his wrist as long black jeans wrapped around his legs. Dangling from his belt was a silver chain connected to a long porcelain key. Hanging on his back was a guitar case, but within it was his sword. No one should recognise him as being Sekai Hamruun, and it seemed to work so far, a black nylon band on his neck, stretching to his collar bone, hiding his tattoo.

He waited outside the university, watching as the bustling of students shifted in and out curiously, not long before Christina came rushing out, puffing with air as she held out her hand. "Shall we?" She asked, as Sekai grabbed it gently, beginning their walk.

"You know, it'd be prudent not to do this." Sekai said, as Christina chuckled.

"Just cut me some slack. I'll buy you ice cream to make up for it, okay?" She asked, as Sekai sighed.

"If something happens and you're caught, don't blame me." Sekai warned. "I hold no responsibility for what happens. Do you understand? This isn't - " Her lips touched his, as she turned back, looking straight, smiling. Sekai frowned, wiping his lips as if he had just contracted some sort of deathly virus. "What was the point of that?" He asked, as she smiled.

"Nothing at all." She chuckled and laughed, before they finally entered into a supermarket.

"Very well. Goodbye." The Captain said, walking toward the car he had driven to the site. He drove back towards the city, intending to pick up some paperwork for Lord Sumguy.

"One fifty six, please." The cashier said, as Nike smiled, pulling out his black wallet, taking out a five dollar bill, handing it to the cash register who did her job. It was a swift flash of fingers before Nike nodded, walking down the grocery lane with his watter bottle as he passed Sekai, who was in all respects hidden in his disguise, looking at the shelves with Christina before he walked along the cans. Nike smelled the stench of nobility. He smelled the stench of blood; Krejei blood. It smelled like lavender. Walking along the same aisle as Sekai, he stood behind him, looking at the opposite shelf. Quietly, without drawing attention, he spoke. "Sekai Hamruun?" He asked, as Sekai closed his eyes.

"Who's that?" Sekai asked, his voice slightly rougher, more casual. "Sekai Hamruun?"

"You don't know?" Nike said. "C'mon, try to remember."

"Oh! Isn't he the one who tried to bomb the office a bit back?" Sekai asked back.

Nike smiled. "Sekai Hamruun was never disclosed as a name that bombed the office." He said, swinging his spear out as Sekai dodged it, touching the clip on his guitar case, opening it as his sword was unleashed, holding it out carefully, his blade stretched out. "Who are you?" Sekai asked, as Nike slashed down, dodging it quickly before Sekai was smashed with a swift backhand.

"I am Nike. I am here to eliminate you. It's best to come quietly and die proudly." Nike said, stabbing forwards, with Sekai catching it in the slit of his blade, Nike pushing it out with incredible force, stabbing again as it cut into Sekai's chest, yet it was only a slight grace. Immediately, he pushed his sword inwards, Sekai turning to the right and swinging to the left, Nike blocking with a steel gauntlet hidden under his long shirt. Sekai pushed a button hidden on one of bumps on his belt.

Immediately, Christina, while in the meat department, looked at her watch flashing once. Leave now! It urged her, as she quietly and slowly walked to the cashier, intent on buying what little groceries she had gathered.

Sekai immediately bent to the side, slashing upwards with Nike pulling out a second sword, swinging down with incredible momentum, smashing into the tiles in the floor, his blade pushing up and hitting Sekai in the leg, forcing him to walk back slightly. Sekai touched the end of the aisle's shelf, a small black pill sticking to it, frowning as he straightened his bloodless shirt, Nike going into his stance before he saw the black pill situated there. "You're going to do it?" Nike asked. "Do you know what awaits you if I die?" He asked, as Sekai frowned.

"Should I care?"

"The Leader has sent another Sakrianda to deal with you." Nike said threateningly. "If you value dying with a fight, you should die by me now." Nike urged, as Sekai frowned. Already, many of the shoppers were surprised by the presence of Sekai's and Nike's fight, assuming it to be some sort of surrealistic attraction. "The Spring Demon is coming to take care of you personally, and to finish the job." Nike smiled.

Sekai was in utter shock, his eyes wide with terror and surprise, fear beyond recognition. What?! Spring Demon?! Impossible! What would he be doing here?! Unless...no! Sekai frowned, running his sword along his back, the blood emanating a thick, cherry fog, wafting around in a protective wall as he rushed off. Nike did not follow; instead, he went the opposite way.

A minute later, the grocery store burst into flames, and the shattering glass made a knife-ridden cloud spur out steel effigies. Only a roar of a beastly shockwave was heard. Sekai frowned, wrapping his sword up once more, as Nike stood at the scene of the bombing, frowning and biting his lip, a small trickle of blood visible. "Damn it. The Spring Demon is coming. I have to speed this up somehow!" Nike broke down, his head in his hands.

Having seen the explosion froma distance, Captain Wall sped towards the ruined supermarket, jumping out of his car as son as it had stopped. He spotted Nike. "Is this the work of the same man?" He asked as he began looking through the rubble for survivors and called the local police station. "Get some men here now, Henry's Market has been bombed. No this is not a prank call, now get men over here before i come to your station and shove that phone up your lazy beurocratic.." The rest of what he was saying was drowned out by a freezer pipe that had begun hissing loudly nearby. He closed the phone and moved to the nearest body, searching for a pulse.

"Yeah. This is the work of Dollface, alright. On top of that, we've got another player coming soon." Nike said, spitting out the blood within his saliva. "We can only wait before he makes another move. However, I'll need to talk to you in private concerning our next possibly enemy."

"Very well." Captain Wall said, as he ripped open the shirt of an unconcious clerk, looked at the wound in the man's side, and took out a kit of surgical tools. "Give me an hour or two, i must attend to matters here."

"Very well." Nike said, turning around, walking off. "Phone me soon. 000-885-8883. Easy, eh?" He said, chuckling. As he walked, a large gash was finally let loose, blood slowly trickling out as he wrapped it up with gauze in his back pocket. Sekai, did you really try to fight him before? He's stronger than you think. Don't underestimate him, Sekai. Don't even think of trying. Now, you have another foe to pick with; you won't get away from this.

Meanwhile, Sekai sat down quietly, looking at the lights that lit up like wondrous shimmering rays, the dark sky of the Sumguaian nightlife truly wonderful, a cool breeze passing him as he sat down across from Christina, her two friends with her as they talked with each other. He smiled, happy for her, something he had not felt in such a long time. So nostalgic, it seemed, as he grabbed her hand tightly, smiling at her amidst their conversation. Her friends did not seem shocked, though they still goaded the two on.

"Oooh, Christina, he's pretty good looking, you know. How long have you two been going out?" One of them asked, a long hair woman with a slight oriental appearance to her.

"Two weeks." Christina said shamelessly, chuckling slightly, obviously nervous. Sekai smiled. "What?"

"Nothing." Sekai said, closing his eyes, letting go as he leaned back. However, a silvery hair man walked in, his clothes identical Sekai's former noble robes, yet his hair was not wild and untamed like Sekai's once were - it was beautiful, straight, without a single strand out of place as it dashingly waved behind him like a gust of invisible wind was blowing upon it. His eyes were like Sekai's, his mouth were like Sekai's, and at first it seemed like he looked alot like Sekai, drawing the eyes and attention of those around him. Sekai was shocked, trying to avoid his gaze.

He made eye contact with him, though the man did not think otherwise. He only left, not a trace of him there.

Captain Wall gently put the woman ont a stretcher, as paramedics lifted her up and into an ambulance. He shook his head, his eyes were exausted from the near two hours of feild surgery he had been performing. Six saved, not as bad as it could have been. He looked once more at the scene of the bombing, hatred welling up inside him for the man who had done this. He was about to rub his face, but thought better of it, as his arms and front were soaked with the blood of those he had been attending to. What a grisly sight I must make.. he thought, walking away from the scene to the resturant next door.

"May i help you..." The waitress began, but stopped midsentence and dropped the menus she was carrying as she saw the bloodsoaked man in front of her.

"Is there a bathroom in here?"

"Y..Yes sir. Just in the back."

"Thank you. You may need to clean it once i have finished using it."

The man walked into a resturaunt, and into the bathroom. Minutes later he emerged, his arms clean, but the blood on his shirt and kevlar vest remaining, now dried.

At the same restaurant, Serego walked past the captain, the strong smell of blood upon his shirt and body flaring his tiny nostrils in alert, the drop of water touching his long robes as Serego frowned hatefully, a disgusted look upon his face. "You're covered in blood." He said politely, though a strong, stern face was emanating from him. "I can smell it still."

He obviously did not know who Captain Wall was.

The Captain laughed. "So i have realized. You see, i just came from the site of a bombing, and have not yet had time to change." He became silent as he noticed the man's striking resemblance to the bomber. "You wouldnt happen to know a man who is known as 'dollface', would you?"

"I wouldn't, no." He said monotonously. "Though, why would you ask?"

"You bear a striking resemblance to a man who has caused me quite a few inconviences lately. I dueled him two days ago and he fled, only to reappear today and bomb a supermarket. He is proving to be quite a nuisance."

"Is that so? I am told that I look like a man as such many times when I am forced to work. I have a little brother who is a nuisance as well; looks like they'll get together just fine." He said, his voice still monotonous. "Though where did this man strike?" He was trying to now get as much information from him as possible without trying to look suspicious.

Though Serego was never good at interrogation.

"Have you not seen the news? The office of Lord Sumguy was bombed, he went through killing everyone until he got to me."

"I'm a tourist, you can say." He said, bowing appreciatively. "I'm sorry for the ignorance I have displayed."

"Ignorance is not a sin, there is no need to apologize. Do you have any further questions about the incident?"

OOC: Serego shouldnt be ignorant for too long, the story is playing on every news station in the country.

"No." Serego said, walking to leave the restaurant. "However, I will tell you something as my thanks for telling me something." He turning his head slightly, his right eye looking at Captain Wall from the side. "I lied about something." With that, he walked out, slowly, yet elegantly down the street.

So he is one of them too.. The Captain thought, looking at the retreating man. Thats three more than i would like in this country.
He walked outside and opened his cellphone, dialing the number Nike had given him.

Nike, finished buying his groceries for the night, picked up his cell phone. "Hello?" He asked quickly.

I fluid-time now-you-see-it-now-you-don't magick Saranov back to work! Alternately, I don't (just let me know and I leave, wham.)

There were three of them; plainclothes policemen, one of them obviously higher ranked than the other two. As they emerged from an unmarked car opposite a popular restaurant, the sharper eyes of the oldest and most senior officer caught something; the two policemen departed in pursuit of Serego, armed with still photographs caught from the security cameras in the Hegemon Office. The senior man crossed the street and entered, taking a moment to recognise Captain Wall at his cellphone (Wall may have recognised the officer, as well, as Saranov had been superintendent of that particular district for years. He was, however, well disguised, as part of his plainclothes operation).

Saranov entered the restaurant, his pace faltering for only a moment. It was not without surprise that he recognised Sekai Hamruun at a table near a window. True, Sekai's disguise might have fooled anyone else; but Saranov was a professional police officer, and seeing through disguises was a requirement in his line of work. Sekai had simply shed the more distinctive aspects of his appearance in favour of less distinctive ones. In Saranov's glance for that moment was both recognition and understanding.

Then the glance was gone. Saranov had turned his attention elsewhere. He picked up a menu, seated himself a few tables down from Sekai, and ordered a dish that was ordinarily deemed too heavy on the cayenne and green chilies for the average person. Almost unconsciously, a hand went to his concealed belt.

Outside, the two plainclothesmen, walking fast, had finally caught up with Serego. As he walked a cry from behind him came: "Sumguaia Police Department. We have a few questions to ask you, sir..."

"What is it?" Serego asked, without turning his head around.

"Do you recognise this individual?" A photograph was thrust in front of his face; while it was rather blurry, having been extracted from a security camera, the resemblance was very pronounced.

Nike, finished buying his groceries for the night, picked up his cell phone. "Hello?" He asked quickly.

"Is there another Sakrianda who looks almost exactly like dollface, but with straighter hair?"

Serego did, but there was no point in telling the cops about it, lest the Sons of Sagacity be found out. "No." He said calmly, without a break in his tone or voice. "I can't say I do."

"Hmm, there is, I believe. Spring Demon, the Exkrucia leader. He's pretty much on par with the Leader, though only slightly weaker. Why's that?" Nike asked.

"Well, Mr. - " the police officer waited for Serego to supply his name; regardless of whether he did or not, he continued, "you must admit that this individual does bear a close resemblance to you."

The officer paused; waiting for Serego to acknowledge his statement. "Have you any living relatives?"

"Hmm, there is, I believe. Spring Demon, the Exkrucia leader. He's pretty much on par with the Leader, though only slightly weaker. Why's that?" Nike asked.

"I beleive i may have just met him."

"A little brother, though he lives in a country far away called Krejeistan. What about you?" Serego asked back. "My name is Gaukaira. Gaukaira Sheze."

Nike laughed in utter fear and denial. "No way, that's not possible." He paused. "Are you definitely sure?!"

"Yes, he as good as told me he was one of you."

"Oh shit." Nike said. "Well, meet me at the place we met before ASAP. This is going to complicate things."

"Very well." He hung up, and walked to his car. He started it, and drove off.

20 minutes later:

The Captain stood on the hill where he and Nike were to meet, he held a semi-automatic sniper rifle, taking in every movement for a half-mile. Nike had sounded worried, so it was best to err on the side of caution for now.

"Yo, you're finally here." Nike said, slightly disheveled, sweating profusely, his hands running through his now greasy but still short hair. "Did you get a picture of the Spring Demon?"

"No I did not. What is he that makes you fear him so much?"

"In the Sons of Sagacity there is the rule that allows you to take another's place if you can kill them. The Spring Demon is leader of the Exkrucia because he killed off the entire former Exkrucia team to prove his dominance over the others. He's a ruthless killer without remorse." Nike. "Nor restraint."

Sekai sat down quietly, looking out at the windows as Christina was already in the kitchen, finishing dinner. Looking down, only specks of people were visible as little dots that scattered around the snaking concrete roads, the blackness overwhelming before not long he looked to see a circular shape walking amongst them. An umbrella at night with no rain or snow? Odd. Sekai thought, before he looked at the insignia on the top; a long black trail ink trail in the shape of a crying lizard. The clan symbol of the Hamruun House. Sekai frowned. "No...fucking way." He said, exasperated, looking as the figure closed his umbrella, hanging at his waist.

Long silver hair adorned his quiet figure, his eyes silent and his mouth only moving softly with the policemen talking to him, his mouth replying shortly. Sekai turned from the window, walked to the couch, sitting down, before immediately standing up. He eyed his sword laying in the corner quickly. "Brother, what are you doing here? Are you the Spring Demon?" He asked himself, as Christina walked in, her eyes wide in childish curiosity.

"What's wrong?" She asked, as Sekai strided over and wrapped his arms around her. She didn't understand what was going on. "What's wrong?" She repeated.

"Go to sleep." Sekai said, letting go. "You need your rest. Alot has happened today."

"If he cannot stop bullets, then I think the 40,000 strong Royal Guard can handle him." The Captain responded, emotionless. Finally, someone who is a better fighter than I am, a real challenge at last. "So, are we to fight him, help him, or hide like frightened rabbits?"

"Dollface." Serego said, sitting on a bench as Sekai stood in the playground, his sword unwrapped. "How are you?" He sat quietly, looking straight, not even turning his head to face the man behind him.

"Spring Demon. Leader of the Exkrucia. I hear the only one in the Sons of Sagacity who has ever gained your respect is the Leader Himself." Sekai said, as Serego sighed. "Are these rumors true?"

"...they are." Serego said, standing up, unsheathing his silvery ghost white sword. "Have your skills increased, Dollface?" He did not turn to face Sekai, whose blade was pointed straight at Serego's spine. "Well, as you may know, failure warrants your elimination. Are you prepared to die, Dollface?" Sekai stabbed, but Serego immediately twisted his body with superhuman speed, slashing him in the back as the sword ran deep through Sekai's body, blood splashing out as Serego stood quietly, wiping the sword off with a handkerchief smelling strongly of lavender. "You have not increased your skills." Serego said, disappointed.

He walked off in the growing darkness, Sekai trying to standing up as the gash on his stomach opened up once more. How did the Spring Demon know that he had a cut on his stomach already?

"We are going to strike a deal with him." Nike said. "Can you get your men to look for a man with such a description?"

"Yes. They would be able to find him within an hour if he was not in hiding."

"Alright, that's good." Nike said. "So, resuming the hunt for Dollface?"

"Indeed. Descriptions of him have been posted in every major newspaper, but no sightings have been reported yet. Was there anyone with him at that grocery store?"

"Yeah." Nike said, looking at his scarred and burnt left hand. "Same pattern - a bomb." He sighed, scratching his head. "I tussled with him for a bit, but he got away with another bomb."

"So i saw. The Royal Guard have been placed on full alert for any suspicious activity, and if another such bombing or sighting of him should take place, they will probably arrive on the scene in less than two minutes. Have we any more to discuss here?"

"No, that's - " His cellphone rang, as he quickly pulled it out, opening it with a click, putting it up to his ear. "Hello?" He asked, as his face turned into a frown, nodding quickly. With that, he quickly closed it and turned to Wall. "We found Dollface."

"Exellent." The Captain replied, a grisly smile flitting across his face before he forced himself to be emotionless once more. "Where?"

"A park near downtown." He turned on his cellphone. "Do you know of a park with red swings and around four circular shaped sandboxes?"

"Yes, it is near the memorial of the Battle of Sumguaia." was the response as Captain Wall stood up. "Somewhat ironic, that he should choose to be at a park where a statue of myself, Lord Sumguy, and General Mcalpin* stands. I cqan drive you there if you should so need it."

*OOC: The battle of Sumguaia was one of the last battles of the Sumguaian Revolution, and was a major rebel victory. The statue was built by popular demand to honor the revolution's leaders.

"That would be best. I'm certainly running low on taxi fare." Nike said.

"Alright, follow me." They walked to a waiting car, and the Captain got in. "You might want to use a seatbelt, I intend to take full advantage of the fact that traffic laws dont apply to me when I'm on duty."

OOC: am i correct in thinking that the Nakros Ishrii rebellion is a front for the Sons of Sagacity?

"Gah?!" Nike said, surprised. "Oh, damn. I'm surprised you guys get away with this."

OOC: Yes, indeed.

"Well, being Commander of the Royal Guard and bodyguard to the Emperor has some benefits." The man said as they barreled out of the area, heading for the park. Three minutes later they skidded to a stop at the entrance and Captain Wall got out, grabbing an assault rifle from the backseat.

Sekai was a bloody mess. His body was leaning carefully upon his sword, as if he were an old man, the wound across his stomach once more open as his blood sprayed out slowly, but judging from the location of the dried brown patches upon his robes, it began quite violently, requiring quick thinking to patch it up with his tattered robes to prevent himself from losing consciousness. He stood there, frowning at Nike and Wall, his hands gripping tightly, his eyes with utmost disgust. "D-Damn it." He said, groaning in obvious pain, trying to stay up.

"Dollface." Nike said, looking at him as he brandished his sword, preparing himself. "As order of Redeye the Malicious, you are under arrest and candidate execution for your failure in the assassination of Sumguy."

"Spring Demon is here. There is no way you two can fight him." Sekai said, blood trickling out gently.

"That reminds me..." The Captain said, walking back to the car and getting something else from a case in the backseat and putting it under his coat. He came back, and continued speaking.

"Your concern is touching, but I don't think whether we can fight him is what you should be worrying about right now. Do you want me to kill you now, or take you to a hospital so that you can be put on trial for the murders of those you killed in the Hegemon's office and that grocery store?"

While he waited for the answer, Wall opened his cell phone and typed a number. "Memorial park, now. Make sure you are heavily armed. Yes, that should be enough."

"I have no plans on going quietly." Sekai said, gasping for breath, leaning weakly on his cane of a sword. Nike frowned, like he always did.

"Dollface, don't tell me you lined up this park with bombs?" He asked, looking around for the slightest trace. Sekai nodded, chuckling.

"Not just here, but along the entire street. Everything within a two mile radius will be engulfed in flame. This isn't the normal ones I use, either. These are Redeye's strongest portable bombs. The reason why I didn't leave when Spring Demon attacked me was that I need to ask you two some questions." He said, looking at them both.

The Captain threw his head back and laughed. "Malicious to the last, are we? Very well, ask away."

"The one harboring me. What will become of that person?" He asked, his chest rising and falling painfully.

The Captain was taken aback by this, and paused. A monster such as this is capable of caring for another? He thought for a moment. "They will not be harmed. I will keep them under surveilance, but that is all. They will not be charged with any crimes related to hiding you. You have caused enough death in this nation."

"Thank you." Sekai sighed, as if in relief. "Second question; are you familiar with the Krejei noble families?"

"No." The Captain replied, looking puzzled. So that is why he wears such clothing...

"Three. Do you want to know the identity of the leader, Redeye?" He asked, as Nike frowned, gripping his handle tightly.

"Dollface! What is this treachery you son of a bitch! Are you planning on selling out the Leader?"

The Captain pulled a pistol out of his coat and aimed it at Nike's head. "Sorry, but I want to hear this." He turned back to Sekai. "Go on."

Nike pulled out his own gun at the same time, obviously prepared for such actions. "No matter what happens, I can't let the identity of our Leader get out. That is the purpose of our Exkrucia." He said, then looking at Sekai. "Don't you dare!"

"What will you offer me in return for this knowledge?" Sekai looked at Wall. "This may be your last chance to strike at the organization. And I can see you do not enjoy that burn on your face."

OCC: any way i can get involved.

"What do you wish in return?" The Captain replied, seemingly ignoring Nike. He felt his cell phone vibrate, and smiled. Ten seconds, and they will be here.

OCC: any way i can get involved.

Here. (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=538210&highlight=jenrak)

"I - " But immediately, Sekai was tackled and carried through the blackness, into the streets as another figure emerged, a melancholic stare on his face, his eyes drooping somewhat with a sad expression around his pale cheeks. He looked at Wall, then at Nike, pointing at him as Nike was curious, yet frowning, his hand not moving positions of the gun from Wall's head. Sekai was rushed off into the darkness.

"Although it is not known who issued the order of the death of Dollface, it is not Redeye, we know that. Therefore, Nike, you have no right to be collaborating with the enemy nor given the liberty to discuss with them." He looked at Wall, his head bowing low as if apologizing. "I am sorry for the transgressions that have occurred recently. I will make sure that my job is finished quietly."

"You are only here to kill that man?" Captain Wall asked, noticing movent in the surrounding trees, but making no sign that he had.

"Oh no, you misunderstood me. I am not here to eliminate Dollface. Lord Redeye sees it imperative that he survives." This man had his hand on his back, a long wrapped object hidden behind it, looking at Wall with utmost ineptitude. "The job we are given is the only job we are to undertake. As such, Nike, you are to return to the Sanctum, and I and the Spring Demon will deal with the assassination of Lord Sumguy." He looked at Wall. "I understand you're quite a madman."

"Well, to elminate a bloodthisty killer..." The Captain replied, laughing to himself. "I am afraid I cant allow you to continue with the assasination though, as I would be most irritated if a lifelong friend of mine died."

"I understand." He said, unzipping his long bag slung over his back to find a long Browning Machine Gun, it's barrels sleek and obsidian, cold yet willing to warm up, looking at Wall with distinct nihilism. "Unlike my superiors, I have no need for theatrics." He stood quietly.

"Fortunately, neither do I." The Captain said as he drew the object he had taken from his car, a sawed-off double-barreled shotgun. He waved the hand holding the pistol, and ten Royal Guard emerged from the surrounding trees, holding sub-machineguns, all aimed at the stranger and Nike.

OOC: LS, don't mean to bother, but do you still use the continental US as a map? If so, would Sumatripte be Rhode Island and Massachusetts?

OOC: LS, don't mean to bother, but do you still use the continental US as a map? If so, would Sumatripte be Rhode Island and Massachusetts?

OOC: RI would work, but i was under the impression is was quite a bit smaller than all of Massachusets. Is this part of the strike i have been hearing about?

OOC: No. What strike? I just wanted to make a map of Sumatripte. RI will be fine.

OOC: No. What strike? I just wanted to make a map of Sumatripte. RI will be fine.

OOC: check your TG's if you want an explenation (however short) regarding the strike.

"I should have expected such an outcome." Nike said, looking at everyone. "It looks like we're both going to die here, Silver Sepulchre." He looked at the man who had his machine gun ready, looking at the royal guards there. "Only more will come with time, you know? And on top of that, Sekai's bombs are still on hold."

"So, you plan on getting rid of us, without any knowledge on where the devices are or how and when they'll detonate? Are you going to gamble by comparing technologies from the Sons of Sagacity?" Sepulchre looked at Captain Wall, his tone neither panicky nor fearful; he felt calm, confident, strong. "There is still the Spring Demon to take care of, and you have yet to properly capture Dollface. Especially you, Nike." He turned to Nike.

Meanwhile, Christina sat at her friend's home, quietly, waiting for the familiar long and lanky figure to arrive at the basement doors, coming up from below as he carried the body of Sekai Hamruun slung over his back. She shuffled towards him, gauze in her hands as she dabbed alcohol all over his bleeding body, wrapping it quickly as a pink cherry shade developed all over his body. Serego looked emotionless. "You truly do care for him, don't you?" Serego asked, looking at her as she did not look back up at him. "Remember to uphold your end of the bargain."

"Spring Demon, that's what you're called, right?" She asked, patching Sekai up quite skilfully. "Spring Demon? They respect you alot, you know."

"I'm quite surprised that this little punk has actually gained your amusement, and more. However, I find it quite surprising that a sleeper is here. How long?" He asked, "How long have you been manipulating everyone?"

"Not long. I wasn't really manipulating anyone." She didn't raise her head at all, looking at the wounds, tending them delicately yet appropriately. "I was sent here, as punishment, as an exile, since I was shameful enough to warrant expulsion, but useful enough to not warrant hunting by your Exkrucia, General." She spoke that last word with almost a strong distaste, a hatred on her tongue that lingered like a last bitter piece of spice refusing to simmer. "But I hear Nike and Sepulchre are here. How many new kids are in the Sons of Sagacity? I hear the Sakrianda are many in number as well, swelling up and becoming too many."

"Yes. Redeye is building an army, for the last front is preparing themselves. All of this may be irrelevant if the final front is a success. It is his gamble, in sorts. As a sleeper, you must do what you can to help the Leader. Even if it means patching up a failure of a Sakrianda." Serego looked at the black '3' on Sekai's neck. "He does not deserve such a ranking. The Sakrianda are not to be so weak." He turned around, stopping slightly before preparing to leave.

"You're wrong, you know." Christina said, still her eyes glazed over, looking without thought at the wounds that were now perfectly patched under blanket layers of white gauze and bandages. "There's a different reason why I'm patching him up." Her hand grabbed his softly; so cold, so frigid, almost lifeless. A possibly foreboding condition. "Surely you understand, Spring Demon? That it wasn't fate?"

"Of course. No such thing exists." He began to vanish into the blackness, only a few words left in his absence. "You still have your uses, Jormungand."

"That is an option, yes, I'm sure we have methods of detecting explosives that would find most of them. Civilian deaths would be most unfortunate though, do you have an alternative?" The Captain responded, equally calm, smiling slightly.

"A reset." Sepulchre said. "Forget everything you know about the Sons of Sagacity."

"Impossible, especially considering the lovely reminder on my face." Captain wall said, his face darkening, taking on a slight hint of madness as a memery flashed through his head. "If there is one thing I will never do," He continued, looking beyond the man he was talking to, "it is forget."[

OOC: Having your hometown burned to the ground and finding the mutilated body of your fiance nailed to a cross in the town square with the bodies of your family around it can do things to the mind.

OOC: I can only imagine.

"And why is that?" He asked briefly.

"I cannot." was the almost whispered response as the Captain looked up at the sky, his eyes widening and slowly growing redder.

"I have been given details on the fight between you and Dollface." Sepulchre spoke coldly. "I know exactly what I am up against. So please, tell me."

"I cannot forget..anything." Captain Wall said again, staring back at the man.

OOC: photographic memory.

"I see. So my curiosity must go instantiated." He looked around, observing the surrounding areas, observing the Royal Guard there to hamper his movements. "So it begins." He fires a single shot at Nike, hitting him in the hand, moving his weapon fast with accuracy as he prepared himself to fire again.

Captain Wall reacted instantly as Nike was hit, raising the shotgun and firing both barrels at the man he was facing. It would not likely kill him from this distance, but injury would be unavoidable. The nearest Royal Guard fired, aiming for the stranger's arms and legs so as to disable him.

Blood was spurting from his joints. Loud cracks were heard, though he did not move; in fact, he stayed as he was, emotionless. "I have fostered many children." He said, looking at them, his gun readied as he fired, a mountain of lead spraying all over the area. He felt no pain.

Meanwhile, Jormungand sat at the foot of Saerus' couch, waiting silently for his fingers to move, before not long they finally flickered to life. Sekai opened his eyes, looking at her silently, nodding his head as if to thank her, his throat flaring in pain. "How much do I owe you?" He asked, as she chuckled back, aloof and ditzy as she was before.

"Do you know of a man named Sepulchre?" She asked.

Several of the Royal Guard fell, the remaining eight opening fire upon the figure. One of them was a sniper, managed to fire a shot at the stationary man's head before a bullet wound in his chest caused him to collapse. Captain Wall dropped to the ground as the man opened fire, dragging Nike down with him and taking bullets in his shoulder and leg as he did so.

"Thereus Allemian. Alias, Sepulchre." Serego said, standing from a nearby apartment, looking lifelessly at the already lifeless body. "Truly a despicable man." He sighed, his hand upon his rifle, before not long a hand touched his. It was small, slender, and warm, but heavily burnt and scarred, leading to a woman with an azure left eye and an amber right eye. Serego sighed. "Jormungand, even if Redeye already did forgive you, don't think you can return as the leader of the Rekrixua." He said, as Christina shrugged, frowning at the scene. "Sepulchre was a fairly competent Exkrucia, though obviously fighting against men with guns when you're alone is pure suicide. I shouldn't have helped him."

"He's revived." She said quietly, almost like a hopeful whisper.

"Good. Then I guess it would be logical to launch the second strike." He said tapping a small aluminum object on his wrist. Near Wall, in some deserted human-devoid street, a large blossoming flame lit up into the darkness. Engraved in flame, were only a few words.

Dollface doesn't die.

Captain Wall looked at the words and laughed, a mad, echoing, evil laugh that rang through the park and nearby buildings. He walked over to the body of Sepulcher, looking into the dead man's eyes as he leaned over him. "They all die in the end. I never start it, but always end up killing them all.."

He stood up and walked back to where Nike was, helping him up. "It would seem that I value your life more than your fellow Sons of Sagacity do, come with me." He said, motioning towards the car he had arrived in.

"He's going to kill me." Nike said, his body unable to move properly, his eyes in shock, bloodshot, fearful. In his pocket, a cell phone rang, but he could not pick it up; blood slowly poured out of his shoulders and wrist, his legs disabled by a large slab of steel in his thigh. Laying on the ground, he groaned around in pain, his face contorted hatefully in spite.

Nearby, atop a building roof, Jormungand sat quietly, emotionless. "Barbarity." She only murmured. "Such a disgusting group. I'm glad I left."

Nike's phone still rang.

"Do you want me to answer that?" The Captain asked as he motioned for one of the uninjured Royal Guard to bring him his medical kit. "also, i may need to perform a small amount of field surgery to ensure your survival, are you up to me doing that while you are consious?" He had immediately forgotten the bloodlust that had been consuming him as he saw Nike's wounds, and looked the man over. "Where are you injured apart from your leg and hand?"

He opened his mouth, blood spraying out as a series of holes were visible in his tongue, his cheeks ripped open from within by a small set of pike-shaped blades that had somehow bored their way. "Answer it, please." He said groggily, blood pouring his throat as he coughed, nodding as if to answer that he would attempt to live no matter how painful it was.

The Captain picked up the phone, signaling to a man who had just brought up his feild surgery equipment. He did not flinch as the Royal Guardsman removed a blood transfusion kit and jammed a needle into the Captain's arm. "Luckily for you, im a universal donor. Tell me if you want me to knock you out, as this will be very painful for you until the ambulances arrive."

He put the phone to his ear. "Hello?"

"That would be preferable, heh." He chuckled slightly.

From the phone, only a singular voice answered. From the sound, young, slightly feminine, though unmistakably a man, as if he had yet to reach puberty. It was a sharp, sly voice, with little warmth in it. "Is this Captain Wall?" It asked.

"Yes, make whatever you have to say quick, I am somewhat busy." He pressed two of his fingers on a point on Nike's neck, holding them there as the man slowly lost conciousness. Two Royal Guard were cleaning his wounds as best they could, and applying bandages to any that were not immediately life-threatening.

"How forward." The voice said, the sound of a bemused chuckle audible. "You're an interesting fella, ya know that?" It was obvious his initial formality began to break down. "Fought a single level 3 Sakrianda, fought a single rank six Exkrucia. Mind ya, look likes the second guy wasn't much of a challenge. Lotsa weaklings, dont 'cha think?" He chuckled again, not giving time for Wall to answer, as if he was talking to himself. "How's ya like to work for us?"

The Captain laughed. Interesting, so that's what they call madness. He did not immediately discard the notion though, and responded: "I am afraid you must excuse my ignorance, but would you pease enlighten me as to why I would want to work for you?"

"Let me crunch some numbers at ya." He began, "Now, I ain't such a big wiz at math, ya know? I got me a few people to do all the math for me, not too fond of the stuff. But let me see if I can explain it right." He started. "There are 778,355 personnel within the Sons of Sagacity. Ya know who I'mma talkin bout, right? That's the good boys and girls that I work for. Now that's not counting the peripherals like our sleepers and our mercenary agents. Now that's a little fucker right there." His voice, although still the same in a certain degree, began to carry a deep, dark, menacing undertone.

"We always got more to come, more people wanting a piece of power. If Redeye wanted, he coulda sent an army to kill Sumguy, and it would never die down. It would keep on coming. There's only a limit to holdin' out 'gainst us, ya know? Thing is, Redeye ain't so keen on keepin you guys alive, but I can fix all yer problems. Ya join up with us, and we back off of Sumguy. Ya don't join with us, and this problem will keep comin', ya know?"

"Only 778,000? Well then you arent nearly as powerful as the Abrahamic League when it comes to manpower." He paused, thinking. "I accept on one condition, the Exkrucia known as Nike is not to be killed."

"Let me tell ya this; 778,000 ain't no rank and file soldiers. We don't just recruit anybody, ya know. Taken our logistics, our supplymen, and the entire Sons of Sagacity, we number in the few hundred million in terms of direct control, and a few couple billion in terms of indirect control. But ya probably don't like much math. The little boys you face are nothing more than low level fighters. Mind ya, we gots lots more blood to draw from, and lots more countries backin us up. I hear Spring Demon's on the loose in your parts. Be glad he ain't killed nobody yet, cus from the looks of it your boy Nike might be on his hit list pretty damn soon. And ain't nobody; politicians, generals, lords or other assassins, ain't be able to touch Spring Demon, let alone take him down." He paused for a bit. "But your request to have me let little ol' Nike off the hook there is a bit difficult, seeing as how I ain't Exkrucia. Ya gotta talk to Spring Demon about it. I can hook ya up with a little chat, if Nike-boy here is that important to ya."

"We're a hard workin' bunch. Ya can only get up in power when you work hard and succeed. You'll be startin' down at the lowest level; level 778,355. Got a problem with that?"

"Not if I can rise in rank through the death of my superioirs, I don't, although I really think i should start out at least a bit higher rank, seeing as it was I who killed the eleventh Sakrianda, Gregory Woodson. A conversation with the Spring Demon would be most welcome."

"You can go ahead and kill all ya want. If they can't protect themselves, the little bitches deserve to die. But the Sakrianda ain't mean no equal representation on the elites of the Sons of Sagacity, not compared to my Rekrixua. Woodson was a little bitch, a low rank punk on the Sakrianda side. Power gaps really fuck ya around, looks like. The Exkrucia, man per man, are the toughest little fuckers of the organization, the Sakrianda being the weakest. Though, because they got such a damn powerful leader, they're the ones in charge. A bit little o' arrogant pricks, if ya ask me, but Redeye's the boss, and I ain't in no position to argue. As fer ya meetin' with the Spring Demon, I'll getcha right up tomorrow mornin'. Get a good night's rest, and make sure Nike don't die, cause I gotta friend who wants to talk to 'im."

"Now, as for the meetin' with Spring Demon, let me tell ya. The guy ain't no pushover, and guns don't help 'gainst him, so pissin' him off ain't gonna do much. I'mma tell ya that, cause a slight bit of impatience 'gainst him and he's gonna strike ya down without mercy when he finds out you ain't no mere bystander now. I'll be callin' through one henchmen, a boy they calls Blackracket. He'll be there to pick ya up tomorrow morning, 10 sharp, same place. Come alone, cus I sure as hell know that Spring Demon ain't gonna take a likin' to ya if ya come across as a cautious little bitch, ya know? First impressions and all that shit. Any questions?"

"None. I will meet this Blackracket person at ten tommorow. Speaking of first impressions, you really should make an effort when you are offering employment not to sound like some petty street thug, it may give the wrong impression." He hung up the cell phone, and began tending to Nike's injuries. Half a minute later, an ambulance arrived and they carried the unconcsious man inside. He was taken to Sumguaia City Hospital and hurried to an ER.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Captain Wall sat in a waiting room, thinking about his current situation. Several hours later, a doctor walked up to him:
"The man you brought in is out of any life-threatening danger. He's unconsious, and should wake up sometime in the early morning."

"Good, I will be able to talk to him before my appointment. Inform me when he wakes up." The Captain replied. He then closed his eyes and began to sleep.

He hung up. "You don't get it." He said to himself, chuckling slightly. "I wouldn't talk like a petty street thug if I had the option." He sat down, leaning back on his chair, his limousine strolling idly through the streets of Jenrak without thought or worries. Pressing on his cellphone, he waited silently before a phone picked up accordingly.

"Hello?" It replied coldly, maliciously, without worries.

"I'd like you to meet someone." He said with an authoritarianist tone.

"Why should I?" He asked back proudly, as the man chuckled slightly.

"Because you're already there to watch over your cute little brother, aren't you?" He asked back, ruffling his hair noisily. "The boy's wanting to see you."

"Fine. Tell him to arrive at my GPS location."

"Heh."

Next morning, a young, short, thin woman sat quietly upon the swings, the morning light dancing upon her, the heat of the freezing autumn slightly burning at the increasing temperatures, her coat jet black with a white dress shirt underneath. Her hair showed fairly visible bangs that were somewhat wild, black as night and smell faintly of lavender. On her tiny wrists were three watches, all set at different times as their hands ticked impatiently, a wrapped long item slung over her shoulder obviously being a concealed sword. She was very pretty, to say the least, but her eyes did seem to droop slightly in complete boredom.

Captain Wall awoke at 7:30 AM as his watch alarm went off, rubbing his eyes and getting out of the waiting room chair he had been sleeping in. He walked into the room where Nike was lying unconsious. He looked at the man for a moment, then left, heading for the Royal Guard barracks where his equipment was stored.

at 8:00 he emerged from the barracks, dressed in black. Over his clothing was the white cloak with a red cross upon it that was the marker of an Abrahamic League crusader. His sword was strapped on his back, and aside from that he carried nothing.

From there he drove to the building where Lord Sumguy was staying under guard. He entered and explained everything that had happened over the past several days to the Hegemon.

______________________________________________________________________________________________


Lord Sumguy remained silent during the explanation, watching the face of his bodyguard. "And so you will be resigning from all of your present positions, i presume?"

"Yes."

"Very well. I wish you good fortune, though i cannot see how what you are trying to do could ever succeed. Just make sure you do not lose yourself in the process."

He took a thin chain with a metal cross on it out of his pocket, and threw it to the Captain. "Remember always who your real master is."

Captain Wall walked out of the office, pausing at the door. "If i should truly become one of them, kill me."

Lord Sumguy watched him leave, pondering the man's parting words. So he doubts his own strength and sanity. The man underestimates himself.

______________________________________________________________________________________________


At 9:30 the Captain walked into the park where the firefight had occured the previous night. He sat down on a bench and waited.

OOC: sorry for the horrible post, I'm ill and half asleep.

She walked over towards him, her shadow, for such a tiny figure, enormous. Her eyes were shifting from one side to another, looking at him with interest, though somewhat still bored. Earplugs in her ears, with large earphones dangling across the spine of her neck, she looked at Captain Wall. "Hey." She said, nodding. "You're the new guy, right?"

"Yes. You will be taking me to meet the Spring Demon then? If so, then let us get going."

"Alright, alright." She said, walking out of the park, continuing down the pathways of the concrete sidewalk, the dandelions already opening up their gray blankets to fuzzy snow-like fogs, seeds flying in the bristling wind as she held her hands in her pockets. "What's your name?" She asked.

"I have not used my first name in fifteen years. My last name is Wall. You may refer to me as Captain Wall if you wish, though that is no longer my title." He answered, emotionless. Strange, she doesn't look like a murderer, appearances are so often deceiving.

She smiled slightly. She was perceptive, thoughtful, and empathetic. "I'm not a killer. There are other ways to advance in rank through the Sons of Sagacity. I'm what you can call a scout. I bring those who are interesting to the feet of my superiors and leave them there. I don't do any killing." She stretched, a small crackling heard in her back. "Ow." She rubbed her shoulders slightly. "Well, can you please tell me your name?"

"There is only one person on earth who knows my name, I will not tell it to anyone i do not completely trust, which permenantly rules out nearly everyone in the Sons of Sagacity." He grimaced slightly as a memory flooded into his mind. "During the revolution in my nation, the government tracked down my family through my name and killed them all, burning my hometown to the ground in the process, I have not used my first name since."

"I guess saying please wouldn't help, would it?" She said, laughing slightly. "Oh well, to each his own, I guess. Though we're going to have to name you in terms of your alias. What would be a good name for you?" She asked him.

Captain Wall pulled the chain he had been given by Lord Sumguy out of his pocket and wrapped it around his hand, looking at the cross on the end for a time as it lay in his palm. "Zealot." He said finally, still staring at the tiny cross.

"Zealot. The Right hand of God, the son of Judgment. 'Ere be all he stands upon the broken heap of his heathen foes, and upon the vicious he slumbers his humanity, for nigh comes the inferno. Alas! They cry, alas! In silver shields and brazen bonds of brotherhood they lay, all upon his knees, crackling in painful torment, tears glistening at the bloody seas. Alas! It roars again, where no sons of sagacity o'er the mountains shiver by the sea. And all, be in this zealot's judgment lies the judgment within me." She said, theatrically, powerfully, smiling as her shoulders slightly relaxed. "You know, I originally wanted to be a voice actor. Lot of good aspirations did for me."

The Captain gave out a sharp laugh, or it would seem like a laugh to anyone who did not see his face. It was in fact a single sob that he was unable to contain as the full magnitude of what he was about to do hit him. I'm going to become a monster, an abomination, a sower and reaper of evil and destruction. He silently prayed for forgiveness and regained his composure. It must be done, an entity such as the Sons of Sagacity can only be destroyed from within. "Perhaps you shouldn't have stopped pursuing them."

"You're an admirable man, Zealot." She said, still walking. "It's because of the situations we're thrown into in life that we become what we are. It's not a matter that I didn't want to continue, but I couldn't. I grew up in a hard family, with little money and civility. My father had a taste for young flesh, and my mother dearly loved the harm she did unto herself. It's from all that hate and suffering that comes the Sons of Sagacity's recruiters, the Rekrixua. Way too late in the game to quit now."

"It is never too late for redemption, all that is required is the will to change yourself." The man who would now be known as Zealot replied. "Many think that we are what we experience, but such thought is merely an excuse for weakness. You can become a saint, a monster," He grimaced as he said the word monster in dread of his own inevitable fall into insanity, "or anything in between, if you but have the will. Take my former employer Lord Sumguy as an example. He was born a poor farmboy with nothing in this world, but somehow managed to work through all of the obstacles in his way and get himself through colledge and ordained as a priest. When organized religion was banned by the government, he rebelled rather than allow himself to be oppressed, and became a general and a unifier, leading the Sumguaian people to overthrow the communist regime that was in place. He lost his family in that revolution as well, and saw all of the horrors of war firsthand, but unlike me he has overcome his past and made himself truly great, having raised our nation from nothing to what it is today through sheer effort and force of will."

He sighed, and continued. "I on the other hand, cannot escape what i have seen and suffered, and am doomed by my weakness to become that which I have fought my entire life. Insanity will take me, and my soul will become tainted and broken beyond repair." He stated this last part as a fact that he had already accepted, inarguable and absolute. "But enough of that depressing subject, I am sure you do not wish to listen to me despair."

"It looks like you yourself have resigned yourself to such a fate. However," She began, her eyes analytical, calculative, "You don't look like one to be fond of hypocrisy, so I guess you're lying to me. Do you have something planned, Zealot? Do you plan on betraying the Fox Lord?"

"Thr Fox Lord? I am not familiar with such a term. I never lie madam, and I assure you that i intend only to kill, and to feed the bloodlust that consumes me." He stared directly at the woman as he said this, eminating a sense of complete conviction. His eyes were wide and defiant, as if challenging her to dare question his word. "As far as i can see, joining the the Sons of Sagacity is the best way for me to acheive such a goal."

"Huh, how were you recruited?" She asked him.

"I killed a rank eleven Sakrianda named Gregory Woodson, defeated a rank three known as Dollface in a duel, and killed a rank six Exkrucia known as Sepulchre. Apparently that is enough to get noticed, so i received a call with an employment offer."

"No, no, that's not what I meant. Did the guy who called you sound borderline retarded?" She asked more specifically.

"Like some half-wit street thug, yes."

She laughed. "That's the Fox Lord for you." She smiled brightly, a genuine smile. "He keeps our spirits up. Redeye's been pushing the legions to kill more than we usually do, and there's always a need for some sort of comic relief. Immediately starting, he's your undisputed superior. No matter whoever says, you only answer to those your superior in your department. And he's the one who leads the Rekrixua. You've probably see him on TV." She thought carefully. "He's on the Jenrakian council of nine, Shekke Jhanzaa. The guy with the messy silver hair?"

"Never been to Jenrak, can't say I'm familiar with the man. What exactly differentiates the three branches, other than their leaders?"

"To disrupt, to clean, to renew. It's the three basic rules that are the Sons of Sagacity's beliefs. The Sakrianda are the ones who cause strife, chaos, disruption within the world, whilst the Exkrucia are the ones who execute those who are weak or traitorous. The Rekrixua are the ones who renew the ranks with stronger, more capable fighters than before, making the organization stronger overall." She explained.

"I see. So is there any way to be transfered to say, the Exkrucia? I would be ill fitted to be a recruiter, and would far prefer a more...active role."

"Killing other Sons of Sagacity? You know that it is the most difficult of the jobs, and you will sometimes be forced to take assignments that are quite difficult to deal with, you know that?" She asked back.

"I look forward to it. After all what is life, or in this case death, without challenge? Besides, i yearn to kill, to destroy the weak and useless, and killing is what I am good at."

"Well, you'd need the Fox Lord's permission, and then be accepted by the Spring Demon. Which, speak of the devil, we're here." She said, arriving at a plain, featureless concrete building. Walking in, she walked down a series of stairs the darkness strong, the light fairly dim. "So, have you met the Spring Demon before?"

"Yes, in the street once, i thought he was the man known as Dollface. I was covered in blood at the time, might not have made the best first impression that i could have."

"Ah." She chuckled, opening the door, revealing a well light room that smelled beautifully of rose and lavender. Oddly it seemed as if lavender as the Sons of Sagacity's trademark scent. Within the center, sitting behind a round table with tea in his hands, was a man with flowing white hair, the left side of his lip cut, the right side slightly thin, his left eye running a visible black scar that nearly touched his jaw. Nevertheless, he was a handsome man, if only a bit piercing and sharp in his features. Standing beside him was a maid, clothed in her uniform; frilly and elegant, a tray in her hands as cookies and tea were balanced perfectly on their surface.

Two open chairs were sitting across from him. "Please, sit." He said, taking a sip of tea.

Zealot sat down in the chair, and accepted a cup of tea from the maid. He waited politely for the Spring Demon to speak first.

"What business do you have with me?" He asked politely, though his choice of words possibly came about wrong. "I received a call from the Fox Lord that you wanted to speak to me about something, though what it may be eludes me. Please elaborate."

"I wish to discuss the fate of the men known as Nike and Dollface. I understand that those Sons of Sagacity that are seen as weak or traitorous are killed, and therefore have a question and a request, the question first: Why is Dollface under protection if he not only failed to complete the task he was assigned, but was defeated in a duel by myself? Normally this would not concern me, but i have a personal interest in the matter, as i have yet to fully repay him for the lovely gift that he left on my face."

"Dollface is under direct allegiance to Redeye. He, you may say, under the Leader's umbrella of protection. I do not have the authority to veto any decision made by Redeye. My job was to originally hunt him down and kill down, though it has shifted to incapacitating him. Now Redeye tells me to pull out for some odd reason. He says that he has already gained something quite valuable from Dollface." He explained.

"I see. In that case, on to my request: That the man known as Nike be allowed to live, despite his failure. In return, I will privde information from within an organization that threatens the goals of the Sons of Sagacity: The Sumguaian Abrahamic League, a paramilitary religious organization devoted to the promotion of freedoms and general good of mankind. I am a high ranking member of this organization, and through me they may be destroyed with considerably more ease than they would be otherwise."

"Sounds enticing." He said, his voice silent, his back straight, his eyes analyzing him closely. "Though, Zealot, obviously by the rules set forth by the Sons of Sagacity those who fail to complete a mission must properly compensate themselves or it will be a void allegiance. If you spare this man, he will no longer be allowed to be a member of the Sons of Sagacity." He drank slowly. "Or is that what you wanted?"

"Not especially, but i would be contented with such an outcome. I merely wish for him to live." Zealot replied, dissapointed that Dollface was now a forbidden target. "That is all i wished to discuss, so I will leave, unless you would wish to speak of a matter with me."

He sipped his tea quietly, his maid handing him a series of papers as he scanned the front page quickly. "I hear you want a promotion, yes?" He asked, without his eyes moving to stare at Wall. "I can arrange that, Zealot."

"Indeed, such a change would be most welcome, what would be required of me for a promotion to be arranged?"

"Margaret, please." He said, as his maid nodded, walking out into an adjacent room, coming with two long swords, handing them gently to Serego as he looked over them intently. Throwing them towards the wall, he sat there, watching without emotion. "Blackracket, examination number 3, please." He asked.

She nodded, walking over to a sword, prying it from the wall it was stuck in, and slung it over her shoulder. "It's a little spar, as all things are." She said, waiting.

"Very well, let us spar." Zealot said, unstrapping his own sword and laying it on his chair. He walked over to the wall and pulled the other sword out. "I am ready when you are." He said, holding the sword in front of him.

"What's the goal?" She turned to ask the Spring Demon, who was still reading his papers. Without looking up, he spoke.

"Until I say stop." He said, continuing to read, Blackracket sighing, swinging her arm around to loosen it up.

"Alright, though I don't know why I'm doing this when you're an Exkrucia." She said, holding it in her right hand, hung behind her chest, her left hand clenched tightly. "Okay, I'm ready."

"Good, then let us begin." Zealot suddenly launched himself forward with a powerful slash. It was not meant to actually strike the woman, but to force her to block so that he may establish the offensive to begin with. It wouldn't be so hard for an accident to happen here.. He thought, but erased the notion immeditaely from his mind, there was something about the woman that made him not want to kill her.

Good, she isnt timid or weak. He thought, and struck again with a quick series of slashes, looking for a hole in his opponent's guard.

She swung. It was not defensively, but offensively, for a woman her size, she carried enormous striking power and physical strength. Within those tiny thin arms were pulsating and throbbing powerhouses, bursting with energy as she held back Zealot's powerful strike with a strike of her own, answering his strike with hers. Locking blades, she pushed to the side, straightening herself as she took up her stance again; swung hung back slightly behind her chest, left arm out, fist clenched.

She responded with the same tactic. A swing to the left, a swing to the right, a swing up and down, and although it seemed as if she was merely repeating her attacks, a closer look revealed that she was using similar techniques, though of incredibly different uses and purposes. Her swings were not something barbaric and simplistic, but subtle as with every swing she carefully and slightly shifted her feet and body to adjust to the movements of her enemies. Responding in a mirror-like fashion, she pushed the last enemy strike out of her way, her sword changing style. Holding it in an arc across her head, she bent forwards slightly, lurching a bit as her left leg was stretched out.

Zealot was frustrated with the weapon he was using, it's relative lightness when compared with his own sword made his usual momentum-based fighting style useless. He switched tactics as well, using the fact that he was used to swinging a heavier weapon quickly to his advantage as his sword sped up, almost a blur as he parried and countered the woman's attacks with steadily increasing power. All the while his breathing adn heart rate steadily increased, and his eyes slowly began to become bloodshot.

Her attacks were different, almost fluid, yet improvised. There was little thought, it seemed, in her attacks, for many useless moves were done, though they all seemed to have generate 'what-ifs' as she spun and slashed, kicking her blade to increase the force behind her attack. Rather than blocking Wall's attack, she merely opted to avoid it altogether, moving to the side or back, before she bumped into Serego's tea table, his teacup tipping as it spilled on his beautiful silver robes.

She stopped immediately, blocking Wall's previous swing.

As he noticed that she was backed against the table, Zealot broke off his attack and stepped backward a few steps to allow her to regain an acceptable postion. After all, this was merely a sparring match, he was not trying to "win".

She turned, her knees smashing onto the floor, her head bowed low as she was uncharacteristically apologetic. "I'm sorry, Master Spring Demon!" She yelled, still as stone, quiet and frightened. Serego ignored her, wiping his stain, though it wouldn't come off. He sighed. "Please forgive me!" She requested, panicking.

"I refuse to forgive you." He said coldly, monotonously, getting up, as he slowly unwrapped his outer layer of robes, folding it neatly as he gave it to Margaret, clapping heard from the door. Looking, he saw the tall, powerfully built figure of a man, no tan visible, though still somewhat dark. "News?" He asked, as the man shook his head, holding out a cellphone.

"The Fox Lord would like to talk to you, Lord Demon." He said, as Serego picked it up. He walked off, talking to the cell phone, the tall man standing there quietly.

Blackracket chuckled. "Quite a swing you got there." She complimented Zealot.

"...Thank you. You are remarkably faster and stronger than i expected. Surely an accident such as that does not warrant an apology upon your knees?" He was taken aback by what had just happened, and somewhat confused.

He caught the phone and put it to his ear as he offered a hand to help the woman up. "Yes, what is it?"

"Ehehe," She chuckled nervously, sweat pouring down as her finger tapped rapidly on the floor. "I really thought I would lose my head there."

"Zealot." Spring Demon said, looking at Wall, throwing his cell phone at Wall. "The Fox Lord wants to talk to you."

"My apologies for my tone, I was preoccupied." Zealot replied, speaking more politely now. Rather a hypersensitive individual.

"Ain't got much of a time on ya hands, huh? Well, I'mm tell you sumthin, but if ya don't got much time, I guess I'd da ratha go do sumthin else. Sorry to be a bother to ya, Zealot." He chuckled.

"Well, I got an assignment for ya. See thing is, couple 'o punks been talkin' 'bout ya, and one of thems got a nice little bounty o' his head, lives in your neck 'o tha woods, I hear. I heard some good words from Spring Demon there, so I'mma gonna skip the formalities and tell ya that I'm promotin' ya to 26th Division Captain. Ya got twelve men under ya' belt, highest ranking ranked 7, a good division. Imma connect you up to to yer adjutant. Got a problem wit that?" He asked.

"Not at all." Who would have been talking about me? well, every criminal in the Empire for a start... "I thank you for the promotion." Looks like i will once again be known as Captain...

"I've been promoted to Captain of the 26th Division. I hadnt expected to rise in rank so quickly." He walked over to the chair he had been sitting in and picked up his sword, strapping it on his back again.

He hung up. The Spring Demon walked towards the door, the large man following him, stopping beside Zealot. "I believe he said the Sumguaia International Airport, fourth terminal." He said quietly, Margaret following him. He stopped, turning around. "Margaret, I'm going to the washroom."

"Sorry." She said, walking back, though backwards, oddly enough it seemed. Blackracket got up, dusting the little speckles of dust on her clothes, stretching as she dropped her sword on the ground.

"What was that about?" She asked Zealot.

"Eh, that's a bit of a shocker." She said, walking out in the brisk, basking sunlight, the warmth pummeling her as her cold skin immediately thickened, the blast of heat giving her renewed energy. "How far is it to Sumguaia International Airport?"

"A twenty minute drive. Will you be going as well or should i take my own car?" Zealot smiled for a moment as he felt a warm breeze, clean of the smell of exhaust and food that was prevelant in most cities.

"Nah, I'll be leaving. I have another job to do, anyways." She turned around. "Hope we meet again. But next time we do, try not to tell me to leave the organization, heh." She gave off a last rough chuckle, before walking off.

"Indeed" Zealot said to himself as he walked to his own car. He sighed as he realized that she was probably the only person within the Sons of Sagacity that he would not wish to kill on sight. Sumguaia International Airport, a bad location for me to be seen... He got in the car and started the engine, heading to the Royal Guard barracks for the last time.

twenty minutes later he started the car again, having removed all of his possesions from the barracks. He drove to the airport, and stepped out of the car. He paused to put a white mask over his face (it has two eye holes, and a red cross pattern in the center of it.) and pulled up the hood of his cloak. He would be recognized as a member of the AL, and even the security would allow him to pass without question.

He walked inside the building, and made his way to the fourth terminal, we here he waited.

Young, presentable, capable. Those were the requirements for the Rekrixua, and when one lacked in one department, extreme amounts must be made in another. Though, on a whole, there existed a fine balance within the Rekrixua, forming a bonding army of young men and women who fought elegantly, looked fairly presentable and were no less capable than their fellow Exkrucia or Sakrianda. Here, at terminal four, stood a long, black haired beauty with a wonderful figure and a wonderful baby face. She had a set of diamond-like eyes; sparkling, shining, ever glistening, her lipstick void lips still cherry red, her fine figure running down to a pair of long, slender legs. She wore navy blue jeans with a smoke-gray t-shirt, a denim jacket atop her shirt as earphones were in her ears.

Upon her neck was a dark brown burn; an eight pronged ring with a swirling star in the center, the branding insignia of the Sakrianda. It was obvious that it was far from fading, though it looked almost as if it were some burgundy tattoo. Playing with her cell phone, she hung there, waiting, a long black umbrella hanging at her waist, dangling with a leather strap that was tied to her belt.

Zealot noticed a brown scar on the neck of a woman standing nearby, identical to the one on his face. He approached her.

"I am Zealot, you are the one i was told to meet here? I must apologize for the mask, but I was something of a legend in this nation before i joined, and do not wish to be identified."

"And for that you have my gratitude. Were you given any orders to relay to me?"

She bowed, her head low, her long hair drooping down unto the air. "Pleased to meet you, Captain Zealot. I am Unity. I am your adjutant and will do my best to serve to your wishes. Whatever request you may have, I will do my absolute best to fulfill it!"

It was obvious she was quite nervous.

"No need to apologize, i could hardly expect you to know a country that you have never been to. It is two blocks east, is that where our target is?

"One message, sir. The Leper has received information on one of the targets that we have been assigned to eliminate. My deepest apologies, Captain, but I am not familiar with this terrain. Do you know where the Mariot Hotel is?"

She regained some of her confidence, a serious face adorning her, a stern expression that seemed as if it would not break. "No, sir. The Leper is stationed at room 3212 with more information regarding our target. He has sufficiently scoped out the situation and has the required information for dealing with these targets effectively."

"I see, thank you. I have a car waiting in the parking lot, we will take that to the hotel. was there anything else?"

"No, sir. All the information I have been given is already been divulged towards you." She bowed in recognition.

Very well then, let us get going." When they had exited the airport, he took off the mask he ahd been wearing and lowered his hood. "So, how did you receive your scar?" He asked as they walked to his car.

"I was marked by Captain Rsrauk of the 12th Division. His target was my father. I was successful at holding him off until my father fled, but in the meantime I was marked with this insignia." She explained.

OOC: congrats on your 9,000th post!

IC: "I see. I received mine from a sword duel with the Sakiandra known as Dollface less than a week ago. I received this," He pointed to the mark on his face, "and slashed open his stomach." He got into the drivers seat of the car, and moved several firearms out of the passenger seat so that Unity could get in. "Why the alias 'Unity', if you dont mind me asking?"

"I was inflicted with multiple personalities. I was part of the famous Elegance Project, where mental collaboration was their main goal. The healthy mental allowance was 3, before any mental breakdown would occur. I had twelve alternate personalities." She frowned, still serious. "To ensure my dominance, I had to assimilate all my other personalities into one. Hence, the unification of my scattered psyche is my name."

"I se, the reasons for my own alias are somewhat simpler, and more obvious." Zealot replied as he drove out of the airport garage and onto the road. A minute later, they pulled into the hotel. "And here we are, one of the largest hotels in the nation, holds 4500 rooms." He removed the keys from the ignition and stepped out, walking around the car to open the door for Unity. "Room 3212, correct?"

Getting out, she bowed lowly. "I'm sorry for inconveniencing you, Captain!" She apologized. "I am fully aware it is my responsibility that I must open it myself, otherwise I will be a hindrance."

"Please, none of that, I was trying to be polite, such is the custom in my nation." He sighed, and continued. "Madam, though I may be your superior when it comes to rank, I want you to treat me as an equal. Submissiveness will not help us in our tasks, and neither will unearned respect." By God, is her spirit completely broken?

"Forgive my rudeness, Captain!" She apologized, her furor as powerful as before. "I will take appropriate action to rectify my error and I understand I have no excuse. I will try to treat you as an equal Captain, but forgive me, but I sense some sort of paradox in such a request."

"You could start by not apologizing so much and being so subservient, you value yourself too little." She is going to be difficult to work with. "Let's go." He said, and walked into the hotel lobby. The clerk's looked up, shocked. "Welcome to the Mariot sir, it's an honor to have you here."

"I would appreciate if you told no one that you have seen me, which floor would room 3212 be on?"

"Why that would be floor 11, but i think that room may already be taken.." The clerk looked at the woman standing next to Wall and raised his eyebrows. "Might i suggest a honeymoon suite?"

The Captain laughed. "I am afraid you presume to much. We will not be staying here. Thank you for the information."

He walked over to an elevator and pressed the up button. A moment later the doors opened, and he stepped inside.

"May I ask one question, sir?" She asked in the elevator, her face in a perpetual frown.

"You may ask me questions at any time that you should wish, you need not ask for permission first."

"Thank you very much!" She nodded. "What is your reason for joining the Rekrixua, Captain?"

"I am a Rekrixua merely because that was the branch I was assigned to when i joined the Sons of Sagaicty. It is my wish to transfer to the Exkrucia eventually, although that may change depending on how i do as a Rekrixua. Ah, this is our floor." The elevator door opened, and Zealot stepped out and began waking down the hall.

"But why do you want to join the Exkrucia?" She asked more attentively.

"I am afraid my reasons for wishing to join the Exkrucia are personal." They came to the door labelled 3212, and Zealot knocked on it.

"It's unlocked." A woman's voice spoke, cold, emotionless, the noise of clanging audible from even outside.

A woman? I was sure with an alias like Leper it was going to be a man. Zealot opened the door and walked inside.

Certainly it was a woman, and certainly, from the looks of her face, she had a slight case of leprosy developing around her left cheek. Though it did not seem to have spread, it was obvious and throbbing, pulsating with life, spreading through every vein in such a region, branch-like objects spread, a black, rotten shade visible. It seemed as if even a touch would burst apart the fragile skin that had grown over it. She stood there, her hair somewhat of a mess, her eyes ordinary, her mouth tiny and her lips nearly non existent.

As Zealot walked in, she bowed briefly. "Captain." She said, holding out her hand. "I'm the Leper."

"I am Zealot." The man replied as he shgook her hand, looking her in the eye and giving no sign that he had noticed the abnormality upon her face. "I am to understand you have information regarding our target?"

She turned around, reviving her laptop from its black screen hibernation. It clattered and chippered noisily before turning back on, revealing a man with sharp features; he had a knife-like nose with thin, bony cheeks, a head that was a bit elongated resting upon a muscular neck. His mouth carried lips as invisible as the Leper's, and his eyes were a silver, bale shade, scars running along the lids, suggesting they were horribly wounded before. "This man is a likely asset to the Sons of Sagacity. Master Redeye has issued two statements of action; recruit, or if that fails, eliminate."

"The man will be attending a charity event within the next week, though this is a guise for what I have collected to be a fairly lucrative drug trade. Although he does not plan on selling anything within the nation, he is using this as a transfer outpost to other nations. In other words, he plans on using this country to be a bridge between one nation and another in the drug trade to disguise any form of transaction between the host supplier and the actual consumer. Master Redeye and the Fox Lord has expressed interest in acquiring this route so that it can become a route for the Sons of Sagacity's own weapons trade." She further explained.

"I have printed out a map with the location of the event, and what the identification code is. Unity has already eliminated any annoyances to this mission, and we can proceed easily with the first phase. The objective is to convince him, by any means necessary, to side with us and swear fealty to Master Redeye."

A drug dealer, good, no guilt if i kill him. "Very well. I fear that this 'charity event' may be somewhat of an obstacle, at least for me. I am very..well known in this nation, and the criminals there would probably try to kill me on sight. Does this man have a family?"

"Two sons, one daughter, wife divorced." The Leper spoke briefly. "Why?"

"In that case we may be able to bring him into the Sons of Sagacity in the same manner that i was: blackmail. Kidnap his children and use them as...motivation."

"As expected of the Captain, a wonderful plan!" Unity smiled, clapping her hands in excitement and approval, The Leper looking on in certain droll, dis-interest.

"Do we have any information regarding the wherabouts of any of his children?" Zealot asked. "If we can get either the daughter or the elder son, that may be enough."

"University, though unknown. A boy with the name Harry Bowman is an extremely common name, so it is going to be a little while to find them. The second one, Cynthia Bowman, his daughter, also exists as a name for multiple people. So, it will be a bit time-consuming to find them. Given the age scopes, they are probably in university, cutting it down to a few candidates." The Leper explained.