"Do you know this place?" Kaito asked.
"This was a night club before the impact. But what made it stand out were the underground fights this place organized every now and then. I fought here once and won pretty easily. But the guy who was a champion before me is now the strongest Bearer in the European Union."
"Hmm..."
Kaito listened carefully whenever I told him details about me. He was simply too curious. I couldn't be mad about that. He still didn't know what I'd done to become a criminal in my own Land.
"There is an organization that managed to defend themselves against the all the Lands here in Central Superio. They call themselves 'Piranha School'. And they're made up from ex-criminals and people that were deported from their Lands. We will join them, that's the most reasonable thing to do. Or do you have another idea?"
"Well... I want to find my sister. But I don't know where to look for her. If I were to find her, I would leave and go to old Japan. That was our first plan after the impact. If you don't mind, please take care of me until I find my sister, Pantera." Kaito bowed.
'I forgot that some Asian people bow our of courtesy. Why did he never do that before?' I thought to myself.
"Kaito, I will not keep you hanging. Just follow me, and I will make sure you grow stronger and find your sister. So you have to promise. Do not betray me and judge me by my actions once you find out about my past." I extended my hand.
Hope returned to Kaito's functional eye, while his face showed true determination. 'If I manage to train and keep Kaito safe while doing it, he will become one of the strongest out there. In the end, a kid adapts and changes faster than an adult. I get excited just by thinking about it...'
I knew about Piranha School's existence, but I didn't know their exact location. While we tried to avoid scouts from the 5 Lands, we walked to the city's central area.
I didn't cover my face nor my Claws of Dawn. I wanted to be recognized. The sooner, the better. Being seen by the Lands' scouts was a risk we had to take.
Arrows were shot to the cars and buildings around us - clear warning shots. 'They can see us.... but from where exactly? Kaito was clearly caught off-guard. He instinctively hid behind me.
"Let me speak to Mul-Soo. You should know who I am already."
I held my arms in the air.
"How do I know you are not a scout from the Arabic Land?" One of the men said, walking out from behind a corner.
He had dark-brown hair and slightly red eyes. He carried a big hunting knife and a gun was strapped to his jeans' belt.
"Look," I said. "I escaped from my Empire. I'll tell Mul-Soo the details."
"The last time we trusted an outsider, one of our men died and 2 left us for the European Union." The fire-eyed man said, looking a bit more trusting than before.
'Does he mean Niam?'
"When was this?"
"One month ago, maybe more. I don't keep track with the dates." He answered.
"It was Niam Henka, wasn't it? I met him after he crossed Siran Bridge. The timestamps align perfectly."
After I mentioned Niam, the fire-eyed guy became visibly angry. I was right, he meant Niam. 'Always making an impression, huh? I still remember our night together... I had fun, I didn't lie in my note.'
"Yes... It has become a small world."
"Too small."
"I will bring you to Mul-Soo, but I'll need some leverage. Give me the kid, then I'll bring you to him." He bargained.
I was skeptical at fist, but Kaito stepped forward, believing my intention of joining Piranha School.
"Take me, but take Pantera to your leader." He said.
"You have quite the guts to agree. The Princess didn't look quite pleased with my offer, yet you accepted on your own. I like you. You remind me of Luca. What's your name?"
"Kaito Shizukana."
"Japanese, huh? My name is Amar."
"Why that expression?" Kaito asked.
"The person Tana and I spoke about is also Japanese. His girl was Japanese too." Amar explained.
I wasn't able to see Niam's companion clearly because she covered her face, but it was clear that she was a girl.
"Really? Do you remember her name? What did she look like?" Kaito asked, hoping it would turn our to be his sister.
"I don't remember anymore. But she had moon-grey hair."
"Oh..."
***
Amar took away and assigned one of his comrades to take me to Mul-Soo. They led me through the city and brought me to an underground bomb shelter. Everything was organized, everyone had a job to do. And it all worked. A few adults would stand guard at different location and inform the group that was closer to the shelter that their comrades were coming.
"Oh my god! The Arabic Empire's princess!" A woman yelled out.
"Damn it... This is Liz, our doctor." Mete said.
"How are you, Princess? To what do we owe you the pleasure?" The blonde doctor asked.
"Can you take me to Mul-Soo, doc?" I asked, smiling.
"Yes! Of course! This way, please." She turned to Mete and threatened him. "I will take her to him. Don't you dare mess this up for me."
"Fffffff..." Mete sighed.
The shelter accommodated a lot of people, most which were the elderly and sick. There were still some things that Mana and Salan abilities couldn't do.
Liz led me to an office at the back of the shelter. She knocked on the door and spoke. But when there wasn't a reaction, she kicked the door open.
"Damn you, Mul-Soo. We have a special guest here. Take your time and talk with her." Liz scolded the pretty-faced man.
"Who can it even be, and why would they allow anyone to come? Is it Niam or what?" He asked.
But when he saw me, the man fell from his chair.
"Princess!"
He stood up, walked over to me and spoke.
"What can I do for you? I don't want to work with the Arabic Empire." He said.
"I'm not here for that. You see, I'm not the Arabic Empire's princess anymore. I am Pantera, a criminal who killed the Emperor. I was hoping I could join your school."
As expected, their reactions told me that they weren't expecting for me to ask something like that. 'How amusing...'
The pretty-faced man turned out to be Mul-Soo. I expected a more scary looking guy as a leader. I talked with Mul-Soo and revealed my intentions again.
"Me and Kaito, who is currently being held by Amar, are here to join you. There is no safe place for us now, so I hoped we could work together.
Mul-Soo was convinced pretty easily. Even offering me a personal room in the shelter, which I thankfully took.
The day ended with me and Kaito reunited.
"They accepted us here." I told Kaito.
"Yeah. Amar said that Mul-Soo would."
The next day, Mul-Soo had sent Liz to bring me to his office again.
"Tan- No. Pantera. Will you swear on your and Kaito's life that you won't betray us?" Mul-Soo asked.
"I swear. I need people to survive." I swore.
"Good... There is one thing though. My leadership here isn't good enough." He said. "Your royal blood is needed. Lead Piranha School with me. These people need you."