*Mul-Soo*
Haru's little brother was not much different from him at first glance. He radiated pure confidence and coldness when facing opponents.
When he sliced my 4 men in half, I knew he was someone not to be messed with. He showed no emotions when he killed them, meaning he killed before. His use of Mana and his sword-skill showed his superiority.
„You're not much different from HIM." I said.
Niam looked into my eyes, ignoring my subordinates who readied themselves to attack him and avenge their comrades' deaths. They were mere insects in his eyes, swatting them away would not even tire him.
"Let's talk business." Niam said, as he sheathed his sword back into its scabbard.
"Stand down!" I ordered my subordinates "I sent them to die. Dying earlier or now makes no difference. Blame me if you want. But if you decide to attack him we'll all die."
*Niam Henka*
„Let's talk somewhere private." I suggested.
"Yes, immediately. Pick up Alejandro's group's corpses and bury them." He ordered his subordinates.
I felt something grabbing my arm and when I turned around I saw Tsuki with teary eyes.
"Did you have to go that far? Why let them live, just to cut them down later?" She asked, her voice shanking.
"The cost of making me a mere pawn in my game. Get used to it." I said and pulled my arm away from her grip.
I faced back forward to see Mul-Soo signaling me to follow him.
***
Mul-Soo led us into an underground bunker that was built shortly after the 3rd World War.
"This is the Piranha School's base. You might think of us as gangsters, but as you can see, we take in everyone that needs help."
I looked around and saw women, children and old people. They looked satisfied. They weren't hungry nor thirsty. I could see he was providing shelter to everyone he came across.
"You create drinking water for them and provide fish to eat. In return for what?" I questioned him.
"Loyalty, as I want to rule over Central Superio one day." He responded.
He led us into a room at the back of the shelter. It was like an office, a wooden table with a chair and 3 candles on top and 2 guest chairs. The table was a mess, it was full with pieces of paper.
"Please sit." He said as he smiled.
Tsuki sat on the left chair and I still stood next to the door. Mul-Soo saw me standing after he sat down on his side of the table, but didn't question my reason for not sitting.
"I want provisions that will last at least 2 weeks." I said.
"I can do that, but…" he paused "You'll be taking someone else's provisions. Water is not the problem, the food is, smoked fish can last a few days at best. And I'm sure won't starve for the sake of others am I right? So, as an alternative you could do me a favor, to get the right for 2 weeks worth of provisions. I know you could just kill me and take the things you want, but by not killing me, I would owe you, what do you say?"
Before I could answer Tsuki spoke. "How come the people here don't go to their respective Land."
"Everyone you see here was either deported from their Land long ago or they weren't able to take on the long journey. Cars don't work and we have no horses, so the survivors here have taken shelter here. They know who I was before the impact, I told them, to gain their trust." Mul-Soo answered.
"What do you want me to do?" I asked.
Mul-Soo smiled at my response. "The Nordic Alliance set up camp not far from here. They're looking for gems, our gems. I might've took every gem that we were able to find in Central Superio and hid it here. So we are their target. I want you to, you know, make their motivation disappear. I'll help of course."
‚He is the leader of this shelter, a bearer and an old acquaintance of my brother, he can be useful. And the fact that he has gems, makes this matter a lot more interesting.' I thought.
„How many Bearers are here and what are their Salan ability?"
„Me and 4 others. Their Salan abilities are the same, it's fire, creating flames and heating up their bodies to enhance physical capabilities."
„How come they have the same abilities?"
„I don't know, the only thing I can say is, that they are very similar. You'll know what I mean once you meet 'em."
„I'll lead this operation, give me a map of Central Superio." I ordered.
Mul-Soo didn't answer immediately, he looked around his table and scratched the back of his head and gave a guilty smile. „Thing is, I don't have a map."
„Are you dumb? How can a leader not have a map of his territory? And you hope to defend against enemy attacks?" I yelled and threw a candle at him, which he didn't catch.
„OWOWOW! That's hot! I'll get you a map and something to eat and drink, so please wait here."
He said as he ran out of his office.
I shook my head in disappointment. He was not a leader, he imitated characters from movies and made mistakes out of inexperience.
Tsuki and I sat in silence until a knock on the metal door interrupted our thoughts. A woman in her late twenties opened the door with a silver tablet in her hands. On the tablet were plates with soup and rice and 2 glasses of water.
„I brought you your meals." She said in a sad tone.
I watched as Tsuki stood up with wide eyes. ‚Is the food poisoned or why is she reacting this way?' I wondered.
Tsuki opened her mouth to speak but I interrupted her. „Why do you look sad?" I asked.
„My husband died. H… H-He was brutally murdered." She answered and she started to cry. Loud sobs filled the almost empty room. Tsuki grabbed the tablet and placed it on the table. She then went to the women and patted her on her shoulder.
„I'm sorry to hear that. May he rest in peace." Tsuki tried consoling her.
I stood up and walked to the woman. Tsuki then grabbed the woman at her shoulder and said „Why don't you go and.."
I interrupted her, I knew why she looked shocked a few seconds ago. Her intuition told her that something would happen to this woman. „What was his name?" I asked.
„Alejandro. Apparently he was killed by a strong Bearer." She answered in between her sobs.
„I killed him. He didn't do anything to wrong me. You should blame Fate." I said and moved Tsuki aside, now standing directly before the woman. The woman was looking down, her hands on her face. Fear and anger overtook her sadness and I could feel Mana from her heart flow into her fingers.
She tried to attack me with her claw-like fingers, but a chop to her neck knocked her out.
„This wasn't necessary, Niam. Why'd you have to tell her?" Tsuki demanded an answer.
„What do you think would happen to her? Everyone lost after the impact, she did too. She was strong enough to survive until now, even if Alejandro supported her. If she overcomes the sadness and anger, what do you think will happen to her?" I asked and paused for a moment. „She'll get stronger in both mind and body. Mana will be a tool for her to use, she could even become a Bearer if she decides to set a goal to avenge her husband."