Tobi and the rest managed to get out of the rumble and met up at the entrance of the mine. They took in a full look at the now flattened mine. Everything has been levelled to the ground.
"How are you guys? Are you all okay?" Dapo asked examining the trio.
"Yes," they replied.
"And what was that scream I heard?" Dapo asked with his hands akimbo.
"I don't know. It wasn't me," Chioma responded.
"It wasn't me either. I heard the scream as I tried to escape the crumbling," Ini answered.
"I think the scream was probably from Tobi. Look at him. All sulky and gloomy," Chioma noted. They all turned their face to Tobi who had been looking at the ground and lost in thought.
"Tobi. Tobi. Tobi!" Chioma called out. Tobi was down to earth and Chioma had to use her lightning to shock him back to earth.
"Ouch, that hurts," Tobi yelled as he shook his body.
"Why have you been so gloomy? What happened there? Especially that scream?" Dapo asked and moved closer. So did Chioma and Ini.
"I found out that the person who killed the guards and attacked the mine was Hannah. She blew herself with the name saying "for Toriba" as her last words," Tobi said with tears forming in his eyes.
Ini went closer to him and hugged him.
"First, his sister, now, the lady he wanted to ask out?" Ini thought and sighed as he went to hug Tobi. "You'll be fine," Ini consoled.
"I just can't believe she's the one behind all of this," Chioma said with her arms folded.
"Why do you think so?" Dapo queried.
"I came across a woman at one underground space who claimed to work for the mine but as soon as I turned my back on her, she disappeared," Chioma answered.
"I agree with you. I fought one boy who used this box that exploded on command. He was the one that attacked the library," Dapo added.
"What was the colour of the box? How did it look like?" Tobi suddenly asked, released the hug, and cleaned his eyes.
"Black," Dapo responded.
"Hannah used a black box too for the explosion," Tobi stated.
"Does that mean they were all working together?" Ini asked.
"That would be the case but what about the woman? She must have had her role?" Chioma questioned with her right finger on her lower chin.
"Let's check the mine and see if we can find anything," Dapo instructed.
"Wait," Ini said as they were about to leave. "This mine was actually a gold mine and the chief supervisor said they had struck the gold," Ini noted.
"That's correct," Dapo affirmed.
"Chioma encountered the woman in an underground space. Chioma, how big was this space? Any strange thing?" Ini asked with his hands covering his nose.
"Oh yeah. The space was enormously large and there was this odd rectangular box that led to a darker space. The woman came out of the rectangular box. She claimed to have hidden from the explosion there," Chioma explained.
"That's it," Ini said and clapped his fingers once. "The woman and the boy came for the gold and collude with Hannah who wanted to destroy the mine for the sake of the area. That's the most plausible outcome," Ini concluded.
"I agree with him," Tobi said. "It would have been a hassle trying to sneak in. Hannah was like a decoy, the boy was to delay anyone. We were all focused on finding the killer than the gold," he added.
"Which meant they've had us in their palms this whole time. We failed this mission but with this, the area should be on the path to returning to how it used to be. That was what Hannah wanted, right?" Dapo said and sighed.
"Yeah…" they noted.
"Let's go. We'll go back to the Saikyuu District HQ together. From there, Ini and I will leave for our district," Dapo said. With one look at the scene, they left the mine for their lodge.
The news of the incident had well circulated. The royal palace was in a fuss. The palace had invested tons of money in the mine project and just as they were about to make their return, it all went south. First, the mine was completely destroyed, and second, the gold that was struck had disappeared.
"What were the guards doing?" the prince yelled as he slammed his hands on his table. "How would I face the King like this? What would I even say to him? Damn it!" he said and kicked the table.
They all arrived at Saikyuu District HQ after a day's journey and reported everything to Jumoke. Jumoke sent Dapo and Ini back to Usumi with gifts and a message for the district commander.
"We've not had this much of missions over the years. Where are they all springing up? What is going on? Jumoke said softly and was concerned as she look at the papers on her desk. "I could use some battles too though. Haa. I want to fight," she said and sighed as he she rested her back on her chair. She thought about her days in the field and laughed.
Tobi and Chioma had reunited with Andrew and told him everything that happened. Andrew was equally shocked at the news of Hannah being behind the death of the guards.
"So, you guys failed the mission?" Ebun asked startling the kids.
"Captain, since when have you been here?" Chioma asked startled.
"Since he started the story?" Ebun answered.
"How come we didn't know?" Tobi queried.
"You guys are just still weak. That's all," Ebun stated and turned to leave before she stopped. "Chioma, you said the woman disappeared without you feeling or hearing anything, right?" she asked with her arms folded.
"Yes. Any problem?" Chioma asked.
"Not a problem. Lest I forget, you guys have a D-rank mission to complete," Ebun stated as she stood Akimbo.
"A D-rank mission? I hope it doesn't become a B-rank mission this time," Andrew thought.
"You will be looking after a pet for the day. That's all from me. Meet the receptionist for the full details," she concluded and left before they could ask her any questions.
"What?! We are going to babysit a pet? For a whole day? What the hell is that?" Tobi said in fury.
"That was a shocker but I think we need a breather. We've been overexposed to life and death battles in just a few weeks of becoming a warrior. If we want to grow, we must know when to rest," Chioma shrugged.
"You're right," Andrew agreed.
Almost immediately, Tobi's countenance changed and frowned heavily gripping his sword.
"You all can keep resting but not me. I have what I must do and I cannot rest. Not until I win my first fight," Tobi said and left the two.
"Why the sudden change of personality?" Andrew sighed. Just as he turned to face Chioma, he noticed her reaction.
Upon hearing Tobi's words, she had a quick epiphany, clenched her fist, and bit her lips. She proceeded to coat her fists with lightning. The atmosphere around her had changed much to Andrew's surprise. She became angry and stern looking.
"Hey, Andrew. Forget about what I said. It's a fable for warriors to think about rest. That's just the reality," she said and left Andrew alone.
"What's gotten into the two of them? Well, not my problem," he said, heading for the reception.
After the day had finished, Jumoke called all the members of the district together for an announcement. She had them gathered in the meeting room. Everyone except one person had gathered there.
"Thank you for gathering here. I called this meeting because of one reason. We all have been busy for the past few weeks. Some of us have nearly died. I know we all have our personal goals and drive but for tonight, we are going to party," Jumoke announced.
"Ehh? Party?" the members were startled and confused. "Why is the commander suggesting a party? Why is she the one? It sounds suspicious," they murmured.
"Today happened to be the day the Saikyuu District HQ was inaugurated. We are going to celebrate in honour of the past members. So, I, Jumoke Seiryou, order you all to party. You can all decide to go wherever you like, that is my order. You are all dismissed," she commanded and left the room.
The young lads reunited with themselves and shared stories while they were at it. It seemed that not only Tobi, Chioma, and Andrew had been involved in risky missions.
"You all can party though but I can't join you guys," Tobi said and rose to leave.
"What choice do you have?" a deep voice called out. Then, a black portal suddenly opened from the ground and a man came from it.
"Who is that?" Andrew asked.
"I haven't seen him before," Matthew noted.
"An intruder?" Emeka asked and they all took their fighting stances.
"So, these are the new warriors. I would have loved to test them but I have no time for that," he thought and glanced at Tobi for a moment.
"What choice do you have? If you don't party as the commander wants, you are dead meat. So, don't bother. Looks like she has not punished any one of you yet," he said and walked out of the room. They all watched him as he walked out of the room with his ordered and silent steps.
"If I can remember, I heard one of the vice-captains saying that if you disobeyed the commander, you would be compelled to spar with her," Usman stated.
"How is that a punishment though? Emeka asked as he was confused.
"Remember the test? We could not even touch her the slightest and she wasn't even utilizing any ounce of her energy and that condescending look that lives rent-free in my head," Matthew responded in fear as he grabbed his head tightly. "How can a person be allowed that much power?" he added.
"I guess that leaves no choice but to party," Andrew said as he glanced at Tobi and Chioma. The two of them shifted their gaze away in defeat.
"Hey, lads. Come with us. We have decided on a spot," a lady called out to them. Her name was Amanda and she was a vice-captain.
"Even, the vice-captains are in on it, how much us?" Usman said and sighed as they moved out of the room and followed Amanda.
That night, they had a lot of drinks, ate meat, played games and exchanged pieces of information. They made it a duty to make sure every one of them had a good time. Even Jumoke joined them at the party. She shared with them the story of the district as it was passed down to everyone. She also told them about how the numbers of Saikyuu District warriors were that low.
As the party ended, Ebun went over to Jumoke. Jumoke took a bottle of Orio and poured its content into a cup.
"I'll be leaving for that place this night," Ebun said.
"Okay. What about your teammates? Leaving them behind? Jumoke asked as she gulped down the drink.
"Yes. They would only serve as a hindrance plus they can handle themselves with D-rank missions for now," Ebun answered.
"I won't stop you. Just don't die," Jumoke said and laughed. Ebun understood what she meant and joined her in the laughter.
"Death is my friend," she said as she laughed and suddenly stopped laughing. "I must leave," she said and rose to leave.