But that's...Seb didn't have to think twice. It was Iven's hideout base for sure. So, Noah is...Iven's brother? But he mentioned uncountable brothers. Are they even real brothers? Seb seized the opportunity. She has never seen the base properly instead of that treacherous room. Now was her chance!!!
"We live there because we don't want to live among mass", Noah admitted,"It looks worn out, but we live like Barons inside. it is really cozy from inside with all facilities. It's more than a normal home".
"Let's go. I hope your brothers won't be mad", Seb said.
"Do you really want to go? Well...I'm not sure...", Noah said.
""I'll handle any problem", Seb winked and assured. She helped Noah to get support on herself and stepped inside the ship.
Noah didn't bluff at all. the ship was totally different from inside. Like a cruise. Antique lamps lit through the corridor, the walls were tarnished but they gave a beautiful effect, the floors was carpeted.
"Whoa!!!", that's the only comment Seb could pass.
"Told you so", Noah said as he directed the way.
They walked on through the corridors throughout which Seb was gaping at the beauteous things around and finally stopped in front of a door.
"My brothers usually gather here when not busy", Noah said and turned the knob.
As the door opened, seb found at least fifteen boys looking their way. It was a huge room, and everyone was engaged in themselves doing one thing or the other to kill time. Either reading, talking, sleeping or playing. They all looked tough but skinnier than the guys whom Seb fought a while ago. They were gazing mainly at Seb but with no evil intention in their eyes. Seb understood that they don't encounter women very often. They had a indication of surprise in their eyes.
"I told you not to wander off alone Noah", one of them came forward and said. His voice was deep but polite,"You have messed up yourself again. Look how much you're hurt!!!".
Seb liked the fact that he put the worry of his brother before their doubt. Finally the topic came to her.
"A friend of yours?", he asked looking at Seb. He was trying not to disrespect her.
"No Yuka, She helped me", Noah jumped into explanation,"You should have seen her kicking the ass of those bastards. And she helped me get here. I would have been beaten up pretty bad if she didn't show up".
They all looked at Seb now. It was confusing enough. It was little unbelievable too because Seb wasn't half their size. How could she have beaten all of them single hand? That too so many of them?
"You've saved our brother", said the man from earlier.
Seb wondered if they were one of those who underestimated women because they never met one. She had herself prepared for any sudden moves. If they are really Iven's brothers, no chance should be taken.
But the unexpected happened.
The one who spoke earlier, came forward. He had a very matured face. He said,"Noah is the youngest among us. He is barely a kid, so he keeps wandering off and getting into troubles. We are not always able to keep an eye on him and protect him".
Noah made a face when he was called kid.
The man continued,"I don't know what would have happened if you didn't show up today. We are very thankful to you. You saved the life of our most adored brother. If there is anything we can do, please let us know. We'll be more than happy to help and will try our best".
Seb looked around at all the boys. They all bowed their head one by one to her as a gesture of gratitude. she also studied that none of them looked alike. So they were not real brothers after all!
"May I know your name?", Seb asked.
"I'm Yuka", the man replied,"Is there anything we can do?"
"It would be best Yuka, if you give immediate medical attention to Noah for now", Seb suggested,"He's hurt and bleeding".
"For sure", Yuka said as he signaled someone to take Noah away,"I'll talk about this to you later Noah", he addressed to Noah.
After Noah was taken away, Yuka said to Seb,"Whom should I call you as?".
"My name is Seb", Seb said.
"Seb, please rest here for a while", Yuka offered politely,"I'm afraid we can't do much for you but make yourself comfortable. Tell us if you need anything".
One of the boys came forward and elbowed Yuka,"We don't have any problem with her Yuka, but Big Bro doesn't like being around strangers".
Big brother? The term caught Seb's ears. Who is this person now, their leader? Is it who Seb thinks it is?
Yuka was saying,"Don't worry! He won't object. She helped Noah, be thankful. I understand that you people are not much used to women, but try to be generous, okay?".
The boy nodded.
Seb heard that. So they indeed didn't meet any women before, huh?
She didn't drop any question and started walking around. They were trying to be humble and few of them ignored her. But none of them tried to offend her or tried to make her feel uncomfortable, since they were thankful. But Seb still felt like an outsider, which she indeed was! Their polite smiles were not sincere. As if they tried talking to her, they would annoy her somehow. But Seb wanted them to talk to her. She wanted them to ask if she was trained in martial arts. She wanted them to ask how did she manage to beat up all of them from earlier. She wanted them to have frank conversations with her. She wanted to blend in with them!
And also, Seb had this beautiful skill of blending in herself.
she knows how to create a mood with her immediate wits.
she saw something which left her struck with a fabulous idea!
She spotted two boys playing judo among themselves. if they would find out that Seb is not what she is imagined to be, then they might feel at ease to mix up with her. They are just needed to feel t.hat Seb is like one of them. She had to make them see the type of girl she is.
She marched up to the bulky one and asked boldly,"Do you play judo?".
The guy was little surprised and confused by the sudden question coming from Seb. He had no answer ready and he fumbled,"Yeah...Yes!". He wasn't meeting her eyes.
"Wanna go for a duel with me?", Seb challenged suddenly.
The place was berserk for a moment. The one Seb challenged was Mak, one of the most skilled in the group. They thought that Mak would get insulted by being challenged by a maiden. They fixed their gaze firmly on him.
Mak was totally clueless. He didn't know what to do. He was indeed thankful to her for Noah, but how could he fight with someone he just met? Also, it's a women. He looked at Yuka with questioning eyes.
Yuka stepped in,"Of course he will, won't you Mak?". It wasn't a question, it was a clear order. Seb read it well. Mak shot a quick glare at Yuka promising to get him later for that because he was expecting Yuka to bail him out. But he couldn't disobey him as he nodded.
"Do you know Judo?", he asked Seb.
"I'm an Taekwondo artist", Seb replied confidently.
"Let's have a go then", Mak wanted to finish up quickly.
The only reason Seb was doing all this because she wanted to win their trust. She wanted to befriend them.
The other ones cleared out the middle arena and formed enough space for the combat to take place. Mak and Seb took their respective positions and prepared themselves. Seb knew that Mak would be pulling back his punches, but she won't let him!!!
Yuka gave the signal as both of them formed the postures of fight.
"You can go first", Mak said as he wanted to finish it up as early possible.
"Why?", Seb shot,"Isn't attacking your style?". Mak's jaw tightened. He didn't reply.
He dashed up to Seb and held her wrist loosely. That was the last mistake he could commit, letting his guard down and underestimate her. He had no idea what Seb is capable of. Every time she is taken as weak and underestimated.
Mak's intention was to pin her down with the least possible damage.
But before even he could carry out what he intended, within a flash of second, he found himself thrashed on the floor already. It was too fast to even get what just occurred.
"I'm going easy on you since you don't seem so skilled", Seb said. It was the line Mak decided for himself after his victory. He didn't take the joke lightly.
He jumped up and stood steady. All the others were stunned enough. Mak was pinned down, by a girl. He was supposed to be skilled enough. Seb wasn't ordinary, she had something in her guts. The fight twisted around.
"I wasn't in my full form", Mak excused.
"Don't pull back now", Seb said.
Now she has dragged Mak's real interest in the fight. He rushed at Seb again with a cool speed, but Seb escaped easily. She grabbed Mak's arm without him noticing, and kicked on his feet making him lose balance. Once he was loose, Seb didn't put much effort in swinging him up in the air above her and thrashing him down!
"Still not ready yet?", Seb smirked.
Mak has been defeated twice but he still held on. He wasn't giving up. This girl is a piece, he thought,it's gonna be fun.
He smirked back and said,"You've got skills. This time it is on full force".
"Bring it on", Seb accepted as she noticed that Mak was having fun in the fight.
Every one else had stopped what they were doing and focused on the duel. It attracted their interest too. The match was getting dead cool. Yuka wasn't so sure about Seb in the first place and was still in doubt that how did she beat up so many guys all by herself. But now he was smiling as he studied her. Her tactics were too good to beat. Her skills were too good for them.
Again Mak charged and launched at Seb. This time he seemed more determined. This time he will be hard to beat, thought the boys, but it was not thus for Seb.
She ducked again and slipped through Mak's grasp easily. Then she kicked behind his back which made him stumble. Seizing the chance when his guard was down, she grabbed his waist and fell back. Mak underwent a rapid somersault and tumbled on the floor.
If only the floor wasn't carpeted, Mak's skull would have cracked open.
After that move, when Seb got up, she found all the boys gaping at her with blank faces. She was confused. May be she took it too far. It wasn't right to defeat him in front of them so mercilessly. They might not have taken it politely and found it humiliating.
But suddenly, all the boys started howling and cheering with enthusiasm. Few of them clapped as a compliment. To Seb's surprise, even Mak got up and started clapping. There was a genuine smile on his face. This time they all seemed utmost.
Yuka nodded his head as he understood that the boys have accepted Seb. They were overexcited and impressed. Seb was successful in her intentions as she bowed to them and smiled politely. She rubbed her head due to embarrassment.
Mak walked up to her and led out his hand for a friendly shake,"It was really cool. Sorry to look down upon you in the first place. We've never met any women like you before. It feels as if you're one of us.....", Mak lost his trail as he couldn't recall her name.
".....Seb", Seb completed it for him.
"Seb", Mak continued,"I should have known better when you saved Noah. Your skills are flawless".
"You're pretty good too", Seb said,"Don't lose your head every time. All you need is strategy".
All of the boys surrounded Seb,"You hav to teach us your skills sis!!!....Yeah they are deadly!!!.....I wanna duel with you too sometime.....The last move was so cool sis...." and they went on.
Sis??? Seb smiled to herself. That was an honor. They're all so cute.
Yuka sat down to watch as they all got engaged with her. They started enjoying her company. Seb felt so safe with them too. And when the atmosphere was starting to lighten, the door opened.
Standing was the person whom Seb was expecting but the others were not.