Chapter 31 - Chapter 30: Value.

Warning: These Chapters will or may contain depictions of violence, strong language and other mature content that may not be suitable for some readers. 

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"So where are we going exactly?" Toagshi inquired.

"I'm trying to find my friends," said Ken. 

"Companies," Ezil corrected.

Ken peered at the spirit creature and said, "Their the same time."

"Huh?" inquired Toagshi, whom had overheard Ken.

"Uh.., nothing!" Ken said with haste. "It's just your head playing tricks on you."

"Hmm, probably," said Toagshi, nonchalantly.

Bark, barked at her master suddenly, "*Bark!*"

"Uh-huh," Ken answered.

Ezil glanced at Ken and asked, "Ah. Now you can speak dog all of a sudden."

"Shut up!" Ken shouted.

"I didn't say anything." Toagshi complained.

Ken said, "Ugh. It's not you." 

The three mortals were walking through an former city with now was a ruin. Ruddle was everywhere and other sharp materials that could easily cut the bottom of their feet.

The only entity which whom was from a unknown race, floated at the same pace as it's companion, Ken.

But was it the only entity which was there?

The two humans continued their adventure, while Bark and Ezil just followed behind.

"I hate that everywhere is so quiet," Toagshi said with an irritated voice. "It was so loud back then. I feel like it's better to get deaf, the be here."

"But if you're deaf, you wouldn't be able to hear anything at all." Ken said.

"Oh, yeah," Toagshi said in realization.

*Thud*

A step was taken towards Ken and his companions. It was noticable to Ken, Ezil and Bark, but not to Toagshi since had no unusual attributes.

"Huh?" Ken said, noticing this movement.

The three aware of the unseen entity turned their heads to see whom or what was hidden. While one had the vast knowledge of this being, two others were only aware of it's presents, while the other wasn't and oblivious to all activity.

"What is it?" Toagshi inquired. Noticing Ken change of emotion and his fixed gaze, made him ask.

The three whom is aware of the entity stares into the shadowy hall of ruins. Only rubble was all that was their.

"I don't know, but I heard something." Ken answered? His voice was too serious to leave Toagshi in doubt.

Toagshi turned his head to look at the direction his human companion was gazing at.

What he saw was pure rubble and trash. In the center of rubble was small cave, big enough for a thirteen (13) year old child to walk right in.

Seeing nothing but rubble and shadows of them, Toagshi was now fully of doubt about Ken's accusation. 

He turned his head to look at the dog, whom had followed the two, was also staring into the cave, growling softly, but clearly enraged.

"Uh?" The confused Toagshi didn't know who to believe. Should he trust his own instincts or theirs?

*Thud*

Another step was taken towards the gang, this time more urgent and in a rush.

*Thud, Thud, Thud*

The entity was now marching towards the group.

Know the urgency of the entity, Ken ready his weapon, his spear.

"I don't see shit. What the heck are you stare at?" inquired the aggregated Toagshi. Not know what was correct and what was wrong was now pissing him off.

*Thud!*

"Huh?" Now hearing the footstep, which was heading towards him, he finally understand the gravity of the situation.

"Theirs more than one by the way." Ezil revealed.

Out of the cave emerged more than a dozen creatures. They were small as preteens. Their skin was orange and their four canines were sticking out of their mouths, sharp as a knife.

Their as were small, making their vision more limited than humans. 

"What the hell are those things!?" Toagshi screamed, staggering backwards.

"Don't worry," Ken assured. "I'll handle them."

With beads of sweat printed on his shocked and terrified face, Toagshi inquired, "A-are you sure?"

"Of course," Ken reassured again. "How would I make it this far if I couldn't fight off these creatures."

Ken started to walk towards the creature. Later realizing something.

"Wait," He halted in his tracks and tilted his head towards Toagshi, "how did you survive this long?"

"What?" Toagshi inquired.

Comprehending the words that Ken uttered, he then felt embarrassed. He realized that Ken was disrespecting.

*Swoosh*

One of the creatures sprinted towards Ken. It lunged out it's hands, preparing to grab it's prey.

*Swoosh*

Another leaped forward. It crashed through the air, aiming itself at Ken's head.

Ken suddenly grabbed Toagshi by the collar.

The Akuma, which was in the air was right at Ken's face.

Ken ducked by lowering his upper body backwards while still in his feet. He did the same to Toagshi, by forcefully lowering his upper body.

Without Ken's level of skill, Toagshi fell down on his tail bone, while Ken pulled his upper body upwards.

The Akuma, what was charging at Ken, on the grounds, got swiftly taken care of.

When it was near enough, Ken tripped it leg by using the handle of his spear. It entire body was now tilted to the right.

Ken then spined it with his index finger and one to the left of his index finger, cutting of the tilted creature head. 

Purple blood oozed plentiful out of its decapitated head and body.

Toagshi stared at the dead Akuma which Ken had slay.

It's eyes were still opened, staring back at him.

A memory than quickly flashed before his eyes. He widened his eyes at the sight if this memory.

It was pile of dead people, which towered up to the pale clouds. Every child and adult eyes were wide open staring back at him.

*Splash*

Toagshi was then brought back to the reality by a jump scare.

A upper body of one the Akumas landed right infront of him. It decapitated upper body oozed out purple blood, engulfing the pavement. 

"Ahh!" Toast screamed. He crawled backwards from the horrific sight.

He turned his vision to the dog; Bark.

She was sitting down, watching the gore which was talking place before her eyes.

Ken was battle the dozen plus Akumas with great ease. With his spear and his increased stats, he seem unbeatable.

For now.

*Stab*

The last of Akumas was stabbed in the chest by Ken's spear. It was stabbed down to the ground, while it's chest held Ken's spear, while he wiped a small splash of their blood off his face.

The creature was not dead, but barely breathing.

It tried to lunge at Ken, but it's body was trapped, penetrated to the ground.

It rose it's body, trying to pull it's leaking chest from the spear.

It wish to escape from the spear's clutches was granted. Ken pulled out the spear from it's chest, after he had finished wiping the blood of his cheek.

The ungrateful creature continued it's attack on Ken. It charged at his leg.

*Pow!*

Ken swiftly kicked it away in a pillar of rocks.

*Crash!*

It's body crashed against the rubble which was piled up there.

*Stab*

Then it's body was stabbed by a sharp shard of a rock.

It was now defeated and dead.

"Wow," Toagshi uttered.

Actually he was impressed by Ken's display of skill in fighting, but confused. Not by Ken's usual amount of strength held in his small body, but about his and himself morality.

He knew that all the people he once know, cared about was now dead because the Akumas appearance. But he also thought about if that made them evil.

Humans killed animals for survival, and sometimes for sport. Wasn't that wrong?

So, if humanity isn't evil, what is?

"Hey!" A voice called.

Toagshi turned his head to see Ken, holding out a hand to him.

"Get up," He commanded.

"Yeah," Toagshi grabbed Ken's hand, helping him to get up to his feet.

"Are you ok?" inquired Ken.

"Ummm, yeah. I'm okay," said Toagshi, brushing the dust and dirty off his bottom.

"Okay. Let's keep going then," Ken said.

The four continued their journey.

While they were exploring, Kuwobasa crew had returned. 

*Open*

The door to Kuwobasa office was opened. In came Sean with an unfazed face.

He shouted, "GOOD EVENING, SIR!"

"Do you mean good night?" Kuwobasa casually inquired. "Cause it's dark out."

"Umm, OH SIR!" Sean shouted out.

"Why did it take you so long to get back!?" Kuwobasa inquired more furiously than the first.

"Uhh.." Sean was lost for words. He didn't really think about the duration of the time they had.

"I rebuked you," Kuwobasa said.

*Step, Step, Step, Step*

Kuwobasa began to march towards the loud mouthed Sean. His footing was full with haste and urgency. 

Seeing his boss marching towards him with so haste, he closed his eyes expecting some form of punishment.

*Brush*

Kuwobasa white doctor's coat brushed on Sean's shirt.

He had passed Sean.

"Huh?" Sean inquired, with obvious confusion in his voice and printed on his face. He had believed that Kuwobasa was going to punish him. 

"Come on," Kuwobasa instructed with a dark tone to his voice, which showed that he was going through some type of stress. "I still need you."

"Uh.." Sean stuttered. Lost for words, he had to take his time to process what to say next, "YES, SIR!!"

*Stop*

Kuwobasa then stopped moving. He grit his teeth and large vein formed on his forehead.

Clutching his arms tight, it felt as his fingers could be pierced through his palm.

With his stiff body, he slowly turned around to face Sean.

"Sean," he called. His voice was crackling because of his stiffed form and his voice was muffled because of his gritted teeth.

"YES, SIR?!" Sean shouted once again, unaware of the mistake he made.

"STOP SHOUT, YOU IGNORANT PIECE OF SHITTTT!!!!" Kuwobasa snapped. His voice echoed through out the building; ever single soul that was within and few meters out of the building heard his furious voice.

"S-sir?" Sean stuttered. His body was filled with fear. The disrespect that Kuwobasa had stabbed him with, pierced through his pride.

Tears started to climb it's way up to Sean eyes as he said, "Ok, sir," with the most quietest tone. It was like a faint whisper that Kuwobasa didn't even hear.

*Step, Step*

Continuing his venture, Kuwobasa shouted at Sean, "Now come on!"

"Yes, sir," Sean once again said with a none existent voice.

"..."

.

.

.

[Somewhere in New York City. Che Cities Park.]

*Open*

"Hmph," a man scoffed, "your here."

The man was standing by a lake. The water still and calm because the inactivity of creatures and nature.

"Ofcourse I came," Kuwobasa voice said. "What? You don't have want I need?"

Kuwobasa had just exited a vehicle which he was carried in. From the other side, Sean and Maki stepped out.

"No," the man said, turning around his full body. "I'm not as lackadaisical like you, Akira."

The man was wearing a black puffed jacket, which halfway covered his lower face. His wore regular jeans pants with stripes on them. 

"But, I'm worried that you might not have what I need," the guy suggested.

"Is that so?" Kuwobasa inquired wearily.

"It is so.." the guy said. ".. You remember when I said you only had to give me.. like about twenty million (20,000,000)?"

"Yes," Kuwobasa answered with a slight of hesitation in his voice. There was also a hint of weariness, nervousness, and anxiousness.

"Well, I changed my mind," the man revealed with a mocking voice.

"You what?!" Kuwobasa exclaimed. He raise his hands up in the air as a sign of aggressiveness.

*Crackle*

*Snap*

*Rustling*

In about three (3) seconds, Kuwobasa and his pairs were surrounded by gunmen. 

Maki glanced at the men with zero fear on her face and in her heart.

The leader of this apparent group, rose his hand and then lowered it, signal the gunmen to lower their weapons.

They immediately did as he commanded.

Maki observed that the men were heavily armored. They had miliary gear, and also a black ski mask that blocked their identity.

"What I was trying to say is.. money has no value anymore," the man revealed. "Now here's the catch."

"There is still a trade up, but..." the guy said, taking a brief pause, purposely mocking Kuwobasa patience.

"But?!" Kuwobasa outburst.

"The only thing I want is entertainment," the guy said, pointing his index finger at Kuwobasa face.

"Entertainment?" said Kuwobasa wearily.

"Yes, entertainment," the guy repeated. "All the other Gems have agreed just for the fun of it. You were just wasn't aware yet."

"All you have to do is to bring a person that can fight well," the leader said. "Once you that, we'll watch a battle royal between the fighters and the abominable creatures."

"What's the catch exactly?"Kuwobasa inquired, eyeing his surroundings, but also keeping a good watch on the Gem infront of him.

"Oh, I forgot to tell you," the leader said, stretching his head naively. "Your fighter has to win. And if he wins, I'll give you what you need to do your experiment thingy."

"Ahem, nerd" someone from the group of surrounding gunmen said.

"Do you accept?" the Gem inquired.

"..."

Kuwobasa critically analysis this predicament.

First he had to get a well trained fighter and try to convince them to fight for him. Also he had to hope and pray that the person survive or his chancing of get what he needs turn to very slim numbers.

"I have a question though," Kuwait interjected.

The leader inquired, "What is it?"

"Does the person have to be in my group?" Kuwobasa inquired.

"Hmm.. nah! I don't give a fuck," the leader said. "You can bring a child or a hobo, I don't give a hell. As long as it is fun to watch."

"Alright," Kuwobasa turned his back to the leader and opened the door to the vehicle. Before

he sat inside, he said, "You know, you're very cocky for someone who had just became a Gem just last year; 18th Gem, Trimaine Brown."

Kuwobasa entered the vehicle, and his associates followed suit as well.

They immediately drove away from the scene.

*Stretch*

Trimaine began to stretch the back of his head.

"Umm, when did that guy know my name?"