Sorry if I left without saying a word. It's been a week, hasn't it?
I just want to say that I'm fine, so no need to worry about me. As of now, I'm fixing the things I left behind before I met you.
Please don't look for me. I'll see you again. I promise. Just wait.
Sender: Claire
Date Sent: January 7
"Reading that message again?" Musica said, who was sitting on the other sofa.
Clarence turned his phone's screen off. "I feel so sad..." he said, leaning his back. He took a deep breathe. "Many people left me."
Musica threw an apple at him. He caught it but didn't take a bite. He was just playing it on his hand.
He started, "First was Claire. Second was Abie, just last January, and Sora, last month."
"He went on a journey for soul-searching," Musica said. "I wonder where he is now..."
"Though Claire said she would see me again, still it's been so long. It's March now and she hasn't come back yet."
He then stood up. "Let's go to the casino, Clarence!" he suggested, showing him a big fat grin.
Clarence took a bite then stood up. He finally smiled. "Ok, let's have fun!" he said cheerfully.
Musica was reaching the metal handle of the door but he was surprised when it had just opened when he hadn't pulled it. It opened widely from outside.
"HEY! Is that really you?!" he exclaimed as he saw the person by the doorstep.
Clarence peeked to see the person. "Sora?" he asked.
That person was really Sora, but his hair grew long, extending up to his shoulder, untied.
Clarence smiled. "Welcome back, Sora," he said with a grin. "How's your soul-searching?"
"Oh... Before that..." he said seriously. "I have a very important thing to say."
"What's that?" they both asked.
"Let me cut my hair first," he answered.
>>>>>>> <<<<<<<
4:00 PM. The three men were in the dining area. Sora's hair was cut short again. He looked better than an hour ago. He looked serious at them. "I have a bad news..." He paused. "...About Claire."
"Eh?!" both exclaimed. "What?"
He took a deep breathe before continuing. "She finally took the offer of being the Leader of Hades."
"No way!"
"Are you sure?" Clarence asked.
He nodded. "I heard it from a Hades assassin. He said that the whole organization is very grateful that their two-year of persuading her finally came to fruition."
"So is that it...?" Clarence asked, in ragged tone and wide-eyed. He didn't want to believe it.
"Hm. Probably."
"I don't believe you," Musica said eagerly.
Sora asserted. "At first, I didn't want to believe too 'cause I didn't see her personally. But Claire is the only one whom they needed, right?"
The discussion continued, except for Musica who was very quiet and in deep thought.
"What can you say, Musica?" Clarence asked.
"I just remembered something," he replied, crossing his arms. "About what that fake John Webb, who was a Hades assassin, Ni Shiro said."
"But she really won't come to us, even though how much we tried. Her decision will never change. She said she would never join any organization even if we threaten her. We've been persuading her in any way, verbally and force, for a year now. She won't accept the position of being our Leader..."
Musica continued, "Something must have really happened on that hospital."
Clarence stood up, stomping the table with his palms. "Let's go there," he firmly said. "To Hades Headquarters." He looked at Sora. "You knew where it is, right?"
He eagerly nodded. "It's outside the country."
>>>>>> <<<<<<
8:45 PM. Musica was standing by the windowsill. He was staring down at the colorful lights of the establishments surrounding the hotel they were staying in.
"Looks like Las Vegas, huh?" he said to himself. "Maybe I should go out to visit a casino..." He turned around and took his jacket on the bed. "I'll just go out for a while," he told Sora. "I'll be back by eleven."
"Why?" the latter asked, who was writing something.
"Casino. I want to explore this city through its casino," he said, grinning.
Sora returned from writing. "This isn't Las Vegas as you think. You won't find any good one."
"I know that. But I won't know unless I find it."
"Do you whatever you want."
Musica stopped as he open the door half. "Tell Clarence I'll bring milk when I get back."
"What about me?"
"What do you want?"
"Coffee in can."
"Got it," Musica said, leaving already.
>>>>> <<<<<
Musica was walking on the streets of Leise city. Just as he expected, it's really like Vegas, where one see bright lights from the establishments all around. He stopped as he reached the entrance of the place he was looking for. "There is really a casino..."
He played the games he usually does in such place. There were roulette, slot machine, card games such as blackjack, his favorite poker, and many more.
After playing, he went to the Police Station. "Good evening," he greeted the policeman at the front desk. "I just want to ask something."
"Yes, sir?" the policeman asked. "How can I be of help?"
"It may sound strange but..." he started. "Do you know about Hades?"
The latter was taken aback by his question. "Eh? Why do you ask?"
"Well, do you know, sir?" he eagerly looked at him.
"Yeah," he answered. His facial expression was changed back to normal. "It's a new group of policemen in this country."
Musica was surprised to hear that. "Eh? Policemen?"
"Yeah, but they're different. Their tactics are far different than common police strategies. They just actually look normal people, wearing casual clothes," he said. "But actually, I just saw one, not the entire group."
"How can you determine if one is a Hades assassin?"
The policed wondered. "Assassin?"
"I mean, police, if they are just wearing casual clothes? Wouldn't they look regular citizens?
"Ah. They have a tattoo on their necks, near the back of their left ear."
>>>>>> <<<<<
Before entering, Musica looked at his wristwatch: 11:55. He opened the door of their room. He saw Clarence, sitting on the windowsill. His eyes were staring on the night sky. Musica can feel the sadness his friend has. He walked forward but he didn't even look. He seemed to be in deep sadness. But he was startled when Musica handed out something near his face.
Clarence looked at it then took it. "Thanks..." he softly said. It was a bottle of milk.
"Still awake?" Musica asked while sitting down on the bedside.
Clarence looked back at the starry night sky. "I can't sleep when I worry..."
He lay down, pushing his back on the bed. "Don't worry too much. You'll be relieved soon."
The guy on the windowsill looked at him. His eyes were suddenly filled with hope.
"Tomorrow..." Musica started. "We'll head at Hades HQ..."
"Then, that means..."
"Yeah. It's confirmed that the HQ is in this city. And their new Leader just took the position last February, like what Sora said."
"Is it Claire?"
He shook his head. "I don't know but the policeman I asked heard rumors that their new leader's name was Claire. Though he has neither seen her, nor the whole organization. They were disguising as policemen."
Suddenly, the door opened. It was Sora who came in. "I also found out that Hades as police organization brought peace to this city," he said.
Musica sat up. "Yeah, that's right."
"Does that mean having Hades gives security here?" Clarence asked.
"Maybe..." Musica answered. He then threw something at Sora.
Sora caught it. "Thanks," he smirked. It was his coffee in can.
"Is it really Claire?" Clarence said worriedly. "Why did she..."
Musica turned to him. "You ask her personally, tomorrow." He than gave him an assuring smile. And so was Sora. "That's for sure!" he cheered him up in his tone. "You don't want to see her with that look, do you?"
Clarence smiled as he shook his head. "Ok, guys... I count on the two of you."
>>>>>>> <<<<<<
"Wow!" the three said in awe.
"Is this it?!" Musica exclaimed. "I can't believe what I see!"
"Is this really the headquarters of Hades?" Sora calmly said.
Clarence shook his head. "It's not what I expected."
"IT'S A VERY BEAUTIFUL MANSION!" they chorused.
Yes, indeed. What they saw right in front their eyes was a beautiful big white mansion. The structure of the mansion was like those of European buildings. The gate was made of steel bar. These bars were big and strong enough to keep a lion den or elephants or even a giraffe. All to describe it was that the mansion was big enough to defend itself – a strong lone fortress.
"Are we just mistaken?" Sora asked. "Maybe this mansion belongs to someone else, not Hades?"
"I don't think so," Musica replied. "The only house in his forest is Hades' HQ. That's base from the information I gathered."
Sora crossed his arms. "That's strange. The HQ is supposed to be underground or a cave; not this well-polished mansion. It seems like good people are staying here, not those assassins presenting as policemen."
"I also think the same way."
Clarence, on the other hand, walked forward and gripped the bars. "Let's go inside," he softly called.
"Eh?" both wondered.
"I smell a familiar scent," he answered. "It's Josh, rather, Ni Shiro."
"So then..." Musica said. "This is really Hades'?"
"Yeah." He eagerly nodded. "And also... I can smell a little scent of Claire being inside there."
"Alright!" Musica and Sora chorused excitedly. "Let's barge in!"
Just then, the ground started shaking mildly. "An earthquake?!" they exclaimed. They saw the huge gate opening sideward. The shaking stopped when the gate was fully opened. They looked at each other as if thinking the same thing. They decided to walk in since the open gate was already an invitation.
>>>>>>> <<<<<<<
The door closed loudly as soon as they entered the mansion. They readied their guard for they knew the assassins would attack them. But the place was quickly surrounded by mist. It was rather a smoke. They covered their face to avoid inhaling it.
"Is this..." Sora raggedly said. "... sleeping gas?"
Founding it out was too late. They already fell down onto their knees. The smoke was fading. Shadows circled around them.
"Take them to the dungeon," a firm voice said.
Footsteps coming down the in the dark underground – dungeon - were heard. As these footsteps were getting close, the path was also being illuminated by a lamp.
"Do you know them?" a man's voice asked. This man was in a tuxedo and has a tattoo on his neck. Together with him is a woman who was in black knee-length dress.
The mysterious woman turned around and started to walk out to the stairs of the dungeon. "Take them to my room, immediately."
"Yes, my queen," the assassin answered.
Clarence slowly opened his eyes while hearing their conversion. "Claire...?" The first word he said. His sight saw the orange-colored light and the previous assassin. He then heard a sound of clashing metals. It's the key unlocking the bar of the cage. The door of the cage opened.
"Wake up!" the assassin said out loud. He saw Clarence already awake. "Leader wants to see you immediately," he told him. "Wake your buddies up." He stepped outside and waited for them.
Clarence, Sora and Musica were in handcuffs. They were in a big room where there's only a well-polished desk and a chair before the window. "We're not criminals to be in handcuffs, are we?" Musica pouted.
The door opened. Another man unlocked their handcuffs.
"Oh, thank goodness!" Musica said as he touched his wrist.
"Where's your leader?" Clarence eagerly asked, looking at him sharply.
"She'll be here in few seconds," the assassin replied as he went out and closed the door.
"Her scent," Clarence said.
"Is it Claire?" both Musica and Sora asked.
Then a knock was heard. The three waited to see the opening of the door and most especially the person behind it. It's the moment they were waiting. Finally, they saw her.
"Hello!" she greeted.
Musica and Sora were surprised to see a woman in a mini-skirt and upper garment tube. Imagining the very unshowy Claire to be wearing such soul-snatching outfit. No way. Unbelievable. This must be what they're thinking. Clarence just looked calm since he already knew her by her scent from the dungeon.
She walked toward them and looked at them with a playful eyes.
"You..." Musica choppily tried to say.
"Who are you?" Clarence asked.
The woman stopped walking. "Oh my", she said, putting a hand on her bare waist. "I thought you wanted to see me, the new leader of this Hades organization."
"Your name is Claire?" Musica asked.
"Uhm, yeah," she answered smilingly.
The three sighed deeply then formed a circle. "A mistake!" Sora told them. "They just have the same name." He put his hand on his forehead. "Oh-oh."
Musica turned to the woman named Claire. "Maybe you'd undergone a facial surgery for us not to notice you anymore," he said, a bit teasing in tone.
The woman raised an eyebrow. "How dare you say that?! I don't even know you people."
Sora punched his head. "Ahaha!" he forcefully laughed. "Sorry, Miss Claire, he's just joking! He's the joker here!" He grabbed his neck and whispered on his ear. "Idiot! Don't forget she's the leader of Hades! It means she's the most skilled among them!"
The women ordered her men to leave them. When they left, she sat on the chair behind the desk. She then gave them a relief smile where they wondered about it.
"I'm glad you made it here," she said. "My name is Jane Heart, the new leader of Hades."
"I thought your name is Claire!" Musica said in disbelief.
"That's just for some official front. Well, I know who you are looking for."
"Where's Claire now?" Clarence asked calmly. "Her scent is this room, though faintly."
"She's back at the palace."
"Palace? Can you please fill us up?"
"As always, she didn't explain again. That Claire," she snorted. "Anyway, she subdued Hades in the New Year's first day."
"Subdued? How?" they asked.
She looked at them like it was serious trouble. "So you didn't know about her? Well, her regular pattern when someone wants to take her against her will: Beat her in a match, whatever it is. If she wins, she will do whatever she wants, and vice versa."
They looked a little confused but they already knew that Claire is somewhat dangerous in some aspects, yet she kept it hidden. They could imagine what she meant but just kept it to themselves.
"She won. But less casualty. She got the leader position but changed their ways. Of course it's not easy for them, but the previous boss wanted to honor his words. Those assassins only have to option – leave the organization and their life as assassin, or stay but be those that upholds life, not destroy. This was actually her speech. Touching, right? And some left the old headquarters, some stayed here in the new HQ as another special branch of the police force in this city."
"So that's why."
She continued, "I was with her the next two days she started leading. And eventually, she asked me to lead instead of her. Given she's an old friend of mine, I accepted the offer in return that she also help me in the palace."
She stood up. "I know there are still some questions, so let's go see her, shall we?"
>>>>>>>><<<<<<<
After driving for two hours in a two-lane highway of only sands and rocks on both sides, Jane, together with the three men entered a big palace that looked like a courtyard – an imperial palace. Its design looked like the Forbidden City's architectural structure and materials were mostly made of high quality woods and stones.
A girl of around 13 to 15 years old greeted Jane as she entered a big wooden room with a low table in the middle. They sat crossed legs on the floor opposite Jane."
"Welcome back, Governor," the young lady greeted with lowered head.
"I'm back, Canary," Jane greeted back. These three are guests. Please prepare rooms for them."
The young looked at them and bowed once. Then she secretly glanced back at Clarence. "He looks familiar..." she said to herself.
"I really want to see Claire already," Clarence said.
"Ah! That's why!" Canary kept that to herself.
"Canary, please bring Claire here," Jane ordered.
"Right away!" she bowed then left.
"You came to pick her already?" Jane asked with a darting look at Clarence, and a playful smile.
"Yes," he answered. "I just couldn't wait."
"What if she won't come back with you?"
"Why won't she?"
Jane's facial expression turned serious. "Based on our conversation earlier, you have not talked everything yet about yourselves. How much do you know about her?"
Those words seemed to cut Clarence's heart. He just clenched his fists on his thighs. He and Claire only got to meet for three months and they haven't been seeing much since they didn't live together. They were siblings but they haven't really much talked about themselves and their pasts. He felt like they were still strangers to each other. He also didn't tell her that he's cursed with turning into a wolf. He didn't even ask if she is also because he felt she's just an ordinary human girl, but not quite really. At that moment, his thoughts were all regret and guilt, slowly eating him away from their presence.
"Clarence!" both Sora and Musica firmly called out to him, like they're commanding him. Because of that, he snapped out of his negative thoughts. Just then, the wooden door slid open and saw Claire standing.
Clarence hurriedly stood on his feet, ran towards her and embraced her tightly and put his hand at the back her head.
"You're squeezing me too tight, brother," Claire softly spoke.
He immediately let go. "Sorry! I'm just glad you're okay."
She smiled at him. "Sorry for making you worry." She also peeked behind Clarence to see Musica and Sora. "Thanks for coming all the way, guys."
After having a festive dinner, Musica and Sora were already escorted to their room on the west side of the palace. Clarence and Claire were left in the same room.
"I'm sorry I left you," Claire started. "You even went the trouble of finding me here."
"I've finally found you. Again. So please, stay with us now. Don't run away from us anymore. I know there are still things we haven't talked about, about you, about me."
"I don't think I'm going back with you," she said, looking down. "Yet."
He tapped her shoulder and smiled warmly at her. "It's okay. Just stay here as long as you like, but I will also stay with you. Musica and Sora can go back anytime."
"But..."
He nodded. "I will just stay with you. This time, I'm gonna protect you." Then he laughed a little. Though I think you don't need it."
She slightly frowned and laughed softly. "Okay, bro. Do whatever you want."
"We still have lots to know about each other. So let's start by spending more time together now."
"Uhm," she nodded then stood up. "How about we call it a night? You must be exhausted."
Clarence stretched his arms and stood up. "That's right."
"I'll take you to your room."
The next morning around 7:00 AM
In a palace's training room, many men of all ages were falling in line. Each one were holding a wooden sword and breathing in and out. They were nervously waiting for their turn to fight. On the floor, many were also breathing hard, with their swords beside them. "I'm the 34th, right?!" one exclaimed. "I'm the worst! NO!"
And at the center of the room, Claire and a man were fighting swords. Just after few seconds, his sword flung away. "15th down," she said to herself.
While the fighting was still going on, Clarence, Musica and Sora came in. When they saw her standing fearless, confident, yet coldly, in the middle, they were amazed.
"Another down," she said. She then looked around. "Anymore else?"
"You're also good in sword aside from archery, huh?" Musica vocalized their praise.
She wiped her face and neck and drank water from her tumbler.
"Do you do this every day?" he asked. "I mean, practicing with those swordsman?"
She answered from the middle of the room, "Only Mondays."
Musica's expression turned excited. He walked toward a sword left and took one. "Can I be your next opponent, undefeated Master?" he grinned.
"Sure," she replied, handing her tumbler to canary.
Musica came in the middle to face her, and their sword fight started and continued longer than the previous matches. Both Musica and Sora cheered for each of them, while the crowds cheered on Musica though it was their first time seeing him.
Both were still fighting even when Jane came. She stood beside Clarence and Sora.
The crowds intensified their cheers for Musica. Then Clarence and Sora realized something.
"Are you observing her well now?" Jane said.
They looked at her with almost the same though but was not able to say it.
"OOPPS!" many exclaimed as a sword flew to them. Claire's not holding anything. Was she defeated?
"What shall we do now?" Musica said, also barehanded. "It's a draw, undefeated Master."
"Let's hurry up to pick our sword," she said. "One, two, three!" Both of them ran oppositely, passing each other.
Claire was reaching it already but all of a sudden, someone slid horizontally toward her way. She barely stopped to prevent bumping to him. He looked up at her, shaking in fear. "I'm sorry..." he said, trembling a little.
"GOT IT!" Musica shouted, raising the sword. Claire heard him but didn't look back. She just closed her fists tightly.
"This cat had just ran away so I followed it..." continued the trembling man who blocked Claire's way. He had in his hand a little kitten. "Please forgive me for ruining your match!"
The previous men who all lost a match with Claire were also trembling in fear. The atmosphere inside the dojo were getting intense because of fear. "He's going to die..." whispered someone from the crowd.
Claire looked furious, yet she sighed right away. "It's okay," she softly said.
Everyone turned to each other as if murmuring if that was really her reaction and that the man got away easily.
"Okay, everyone!" Jane cheerily walked on the middle where Claire was, and everyone stopped talking. "It's already past 8 in the morning. Hurry to your positions."
And everyone stood up, bowed down and hurriedly left the training room, leaving Jane, Claire, Canary, Clarence, Musica and Sora inside.
"Well, now!" Jane started. "You're still scary, Claire!"
Claire just smirked.
"So, I guess our match is postponed," Musica said with smug face. "Continue?"
"Next Monday," Claire said. "If you're still here."
"Ah! That's right."
Clarence then spoke up, "I'm staying here until Claire goes back with me. Sora, Musica you can go back ahead. Ms. Jane, is it okay if I can still stay here?"
"It's fine," Jane answered.
Musica and Sora looked at each other. They just nodded to Clarence, as if still deciding.